trees in ?„ state of vegetative activity. In the western plains 

 country the most hixuriant growth of native timbers is always found 

 on the north slopes. This peculiarity is less marked in New York 

 because the climatic changes are less severe and less sudden, and 

 the sun's rays are less intense. Extreme lieat in summer injures 

 trees as well as extreme cold, often deadening the bark and scorch- 

 ing the fruit. This fortunately is less frequent in New York than 

 in the west. In spring the injury known as sun-scalding is caused 

 by hot weather followed by sharp frost. South slopes, favor diffi- 

 culties of this nature. To sum up, the north or east slopes are 

 usually most favorable to fruit tree culture because climatic varia- 

 tions are less extreme than on the south or west slopes. Elevated 

 areas are to be preferred to low-lying ground because cold air is 

 heavier than warm air and settles to the lowest levels. Bottom 

 lands catch frost earlier than upland slojDes. Look up the subject 

 of air-drainap-e. 



The soil is cm important factor in fruit groioing. — A cor- 

 respondent writes: "I have a piece of sandy ground. I would like 

 to raise an apple orchard. Can I do it on this soil ? " " Yes, cer- 

 tainlv," we answer. " You can at least ^row enouo-li for vour own 

 use, but we would not advise you to plant extensively of apples on 

 such soil, because it is better adapted to other crops, peaches for 

 instance, if the climate admits, or for garden truck." Another 

 correspondent asks if we '' would plant peaches on heavy clay." 

 Our answer would be : " Yes, rather than forego the pleasure of 

 trying to grow peaches." , While the ideal soil for an apple and 

 plum orchard is probably a friable clay loam, and that for the peach 

 tree a light san4y loam, we should not give up these fruits, because 

 they add to personal interests and may be grown for home use, 

 though the ideal soil is wanting. 



P reparation of the soil as important as the hind of soil. — In 

 Lesson No. 1 the various methods of improving the texture of the 

 soil were discussed. It is bad economy to plant trees on hard, 

 "sour," or poor land. See Lesson 11. But poor land maj^ be 

 enriched. The land should be as thoroughly prepared as if it were 

 intended for a corn crop. The roots of trees forage widely and 



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