10 SUMMER APPLES IN THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES. 



TOPOGRAPHY AND ELEVATION. 



The topography of the C-oastal Phxin is unmarked by any special 

 characteristics. The surface is generally level, rising slightly and 

 gradually from the coast westward. A large number of rivers and 

 smaller streams and their tributaries traverse the region in their 

 course to the sea. They constitute an important factor in tlie soil 

 drainage. 



The elevation above sea level is comparatively slight, a large pro- 

 portion of the region being less than 100 feet. Most of the remaining 

 portions have considerably less than 200 feet elevation. 



While the relative and actual elevations are practically identical 

 and only a few feet, comparatively, above sea level, the character of 

 the soil and subsoil and the natural water drainage provided by the 

 streams which flow through this region insure as a rule good soil 

 drainage. The atmospheric drainage is not so perfect as it is in 

 regions where there is an alternation of ridges and valleys with con- 

 siderable differences in relative elevations. 



SOIL. 



Wliile several types of soil are represented in the Coastal Plain, the 

 extreme characteristics of the different types which need to be con- 

 sidered in the present connection are not wide in so far as they have 

 a bearing on commercial orcharding. In fact, it is evident that the 

 mfluence of different methods of management in orchards located on 

 the same type of soil could be made to exert decidedly more influence 

 upon the behavior of varieties than would any inherent differences 

 in the types themselves. 



A large pro})ortion of the soil is a light sand to sandy loam. The 

 subsoil underlying much of this is of the same general character as 

 the surface. In places, the subsoil is slightl}^ heavier, having a small 

 content of clay. 



Small areas exist where there is sufficient clay in the surface to 

 make a light clay loam, but it is very easily pulverized when culti- 

 vated. The subsoil of this is also heavier than that underlying the 

 lighter types, but it is not compact. Small sections having this type 

 of soil contain more or less gravel, from a quarter of an inch to an 

 inch in diameter. This soil is somewhat ''stronger" than the more 

 sandy types. 



Several other types might be distinguished by drawing very fine 

 distinctions, but it is sufficient for the present purpose to consider 

 them as variations of those already mentioned. Generally speaking, 

 the soil is free from rocks and is easily worked. 



The characteristics of the sid^soil which have been described are 

 known to extend to a great depth in many instances, as shown by 

 wells and other excavations. 



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