412 ANN PAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



THE VARIKTIKS OF FRUIT THAT CAN BE) 

 PROFITABLY GROWN IN PENNSYLVANIA. 



Bv Gabriel Hiester, Harrishurn, Pa. 



When a man plants an orchard of apples or pears he is starting 

 in a work that will last his life time. If he selects the wrong loca- 

 tion for his orchard, or makes a wrong selection of varieties, even 

 though he mav give it the best and most intelligent care later on, 

 he will fail to obtain a full measure of profit for his work. 



LOCATION. 



It is difficult to give accurate directions as to the selection of a 

 location for an orchard or to describe a soil that will bring the best 

 results. There are a few general principles, however, that have be- 

 come firmh" established by the experience of the most careful horti 

 culturists extending back through the past century, and have been 

 fully proven by a number of correspondents who have aided in this 

 investigation. There are several points to be considered in selecting 

 a location which apply to all fruits, and may be briefly' stated here 

 as follows: 



/Soil. — All fruit trees require a.</eep soil on an open sub-soil that 

 will allow i)erfect drainage. Let me then impress upon the mind of 

 the reader, that the first requisite for the profitable production of 

 fruit of any kind is an open suh-soil that will allow perfect drainage; 

 second, a deep top soil of a character suited to the kind of fruit 

 grown. The character of soil best suited to each kiud of fruit will 

 be treated later on. Stones and boulders are not injurious, but on 

 the contrary, rather a benefit; the loose stones on top serve as a 

 mulch and retain moisture, and the roots find their way around and 

 under the boulders and there secure a good supply of moisture. For 

 this reason many stony hillsides and flat mountain tops which can- 

 not be utilized in any other way furnish excellent sites for orchards. 



Exposure. — Opinions differ somewhat on this point, but a majority 

 seem to favor a northern exposure, as the idea prevails that the 

 buds are retarded somewhat, and are less liable to be injured by late 

 frosts. Also that a southwestern exposure is least desirable. 



Altitude. — Is more important than exposure. The trees should 



