650 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OflE, Doc. 



The several otliei- species or groups rontaiii nothing claiming at- 

 tention in this paper. In conclusion, the likes, dislikes and pre- 

 dilection of the planter, will in a large measure determine the group 

 best suited for him; and after settling upon such choice, vai-ieties to 

 fit the market he aims to supph', can be chosen with a minimum of 

 uncertainty. 



PENNSYLVANIA APPLE SOILS 



By PROP. H. J. WILDER, Bureau of Soils j Washington, D. C. 



There are many localities in the State of Pennsylvania that are 

 well adapted to apple growing, and it is to the leading growers 

 of such localities that the State owes the existence of this organiza- 

 tion. Now, those sections of the State already developed are fairly 

 well known, and it is my purpose at this time to invite your atten- 

 tion to such portions as have not been so well developed. I will 

 say right here, however, that we would not have to go very many 

 miles from where we are now to find plenty of undeveloped fruit 

 soil as good as any already planted, that may still be had at very 

 reasonbale prices. 



Nine years ago your President prepared a bulletin for the State 

 Department of Agriculture on "Varieties of Fruits That May be 

 Successfully Grown in the State of Pennsylvania," and I may take 

 occasion at this time to call your attention to the particular excel- 

 lence of that work in serving the horticultural interests of Penn- 

 sylvania. 



I will ask you to start with me on an imaginary trip from here 

 to Northeastern Pennsylvania. The map on the wall has been pre- 

 pared to show some of the principal soil boundaries. The yellow 

 color represents the South Mountain range. The Blue Mountain, 

 or North Mountain, is here shown by the blue belt extending from 

 near Belvidere on the Delaware Eiver southwest to the Maryland 

 line. 



South Mountain and its adjacent slopes are well adapted to fruit 

 growing, as most of you know. Pennsylvania owes, in fact, a great 

 deal of her fruit growing reputation to that region, and I may add 

 that it is truly astonishing that the prices of good fruit lands in 

 this state are so low as they are, even in the South Mountain region. 



Just east of the Allegheny Mountain, or the Allegheny Front as 

 is is often called, is outlined the '"Appalachian Mountains and Val- 

 leys Kegion" which extends in cross-section southeastward from 

 the Allegheny Front to Blue Mountains, and lengthwise from the 

 Delaware Eiver southwest to the state of Maryland. Its width in 

 Maryland is practically the distance between Cumberland and Hagers- 

 town, the latter town being in the limestone valley just to the east. 

 Along the Delaware River the same broad belt extends from near 

 the Water Gap to the northeast corner of the State. This sec- 



