» The Adaptation of Fruits to Climate and Soil. 255- 



spects, so nearly alike that no distinction need be made in them, where they 

 hold true to the series. 



Geology tells us where we will find the limestone in its native beds, and 

 the general character of the soil, Avitli the topography and hydrology of the 

 several districts. Meteorology gives us the relative temperature, and locates 

 the greatest extremes ; while vegetable physiology unfolds to us the natural 

 forces of the tree, and enables us to understand its requirements. 



All these help:- thus become invaluable to the fruit-grower who would be 

 mas;ter of his profession, and would stand upon a sure foundation. 



Taking the country at large, there are other factors in this question of soil 

 formations which we have not time to here discuss, but will again present 

 the views of our anonymous Avriter (w^ho is he? ), who says: 



'•Drawing an imaginary line on the map of the United States from San- 

 dusky, Ohio, to Knoxville, Tennessee, and from there at about right-angles 

 to the w^estward, we divide the land east of the Rocky Mountains into two 

 sections. East and south of this line is a formation created by volcanic ac- 

 tion, whose layers are upturned at almost any angle of inclination, whose 

 interior is in consequence loosened uji and rent into innmnerable crevices. 

 The other section, lying Avest and north of the division line, embraces the 

 rich agricultural States of the land, and is formjsd by horizontal layers or 

 strata, deposited in the ages of the past. This formation is the deluvial and 

 calcarious or limestone formations. The former is, geologically speaking, of 

 the metamorphic age, to which is joined the tertiary formations which make 

 up the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. 



" The rich soils of the North and West produce, in consequence, the fruits 

 indigenous to their climate to the highest perfection. Any one wishing to 

 raise apples is, therefore, here in the place designed by nature for the genus 

 apple. The grower of pears will find his proper home on the eastern side of 

 the line, on the slopes of the Eastern States, which offer a soil less rich in 

 rampant plant food, but thoroughly drained by volcanic action. The grape- 

 grower and speculator in extensive peach orchards will find the southern 

 side of the line— the slopes of the AUeghenies in Virginia, the Carolinas, 

 Georgia, Alabama, clear on to the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas— the most 

 advantageous location for his enterprise. 



"Geology, together with meteorology, teaches this, and infinitely more, 

 and has pointed out, for many years, that the southern slopes of the conti- 

 nent correspond more closely to the leading vine and fruit-producing coun- 

 tries of Europe than any other portion of the United States, the Pacific States 

 excepted." 



That the above limitations are subject to criticism we admit, but, as a 

 whole, it outlines the grand natural division of the Mississippi Valley very 

 truthfully in horticultural adaptation. 



Professor Swallow, of the Missouri Agricultural College, has found that 

 ridges and steep declivities filled with flints give the best apples, pears, peaches, 

 cherries, plums and grapes on that farm. Of course this is due to some- 



