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FIG CULTURE 



a bulletin of the Ohio station the leading ideas in 

 its use: " There should be a clear conception in 

 the mind of anyone who thinks of attempting the 

 grass mulch method, as to what it means, for failure 

 is likely to result if it is not properly carried out. 

 It does not mean the turning of an orchard out to 

 grass, and allowing the trees to struggle with all 

 sorts of adverse conditions. It is not a slipshod 

 nor a lazy man's method. It has not been invented 

 in order to save work. It does mean storing up of 

 humus while the orchard is young, or possibly be- 

 fore it was planted, for its use in old age, like the 

 setting aside of a reserve fund to be drawn upon as 

 needed. " 



"The notion that the soil of an orchard can be 

 clean cultivated for a number of years until the 

 vegetable matter is nearly all destroyed, and that 

 it may then be restored in sufficient quantities, by 

 growing cover crops, is a wrong conception." "For 

 there must come a time when it will be impossible 

 to grow sufficient crops under the wide spreading 

 branches to keep up a supply of the much needed 

 humus." The mulching plan "insures the greatest 

 possible quantity of humus during the entire life 

 of the orchard. Theoretically a soil thus filled with 

 vegetable fiber ought to contain plant food in 

 abundance and to have a water holding capacity 

 sufficient to supply the needs of the trees at all 

 times." "Mulches promote the formation of ni- 

 trates, and the healthy appearance and long reten- 



