126 ORCHARDS. 



in Virginia was grown in limestone soil, with rich loamy sub- 

 soil mixed with small gravel. Other strong loamy soils are 

 also well adapted to the fruitfulness as well as vigorous 

 growth of orchard trees. The particular ingredients of soil 

 favorable to full bearing are always present in soils such as 

 these. Soils also have a powerful influence in the growth 

 and modification of fruits. Their size, texture, excellence, 

 and fine keeping qualities are produced and established by 

 the soils in which they are grown. Perhaps, as to flavor, 

 the dark red or chocolate colored soils of the Piedmont re- 

 gion of Virginia, extending into North Carolina, are the very 

 best for the extreme lusciousness and high aromatic flavor, 

 always present in the well cultivated fruits of this region. 

 It is believed that the fruits of this section are also less afl"ect- 

 ed by insect enemies and by vernal frosts. 



In regard to the keeping qualities of the apple, there can 

 be no doubt but that gray, clayey soils, are decidedly the 

 best, inducing plumpness and firmness in the fruit, and a dis- 

 position to hang well and long on the trees. 



The Tide-water sections of Maryland, Virginia and North 

 Carolina, where the soil is loamy and not too much sand, or 

 too wet, are well adapted to both the apple and the peach, and 

 the fine qualities of both are secured in an eminent degree, 

 by good cultivation and by careful selection of varieties to suit 

 this lotver section of the country. (A list of such varieties 

 will be appended in this work.) There are many very fine 

 varieties of apples that will not flourish here that are quite at 

 home in the high, gray, and slaty lands, and mountainous 

 sections where the red soil predominates. (Lists suitable for 

 all these locations will appear in their place in this work.) 

 '' Locations bordering on salt water are warmer in Winter and 

 cooler in Summer, as the atmosphere is modified by the more 

 equable temperature of the water," which seldom freezes to 

 any extent. This favorable condition to fruit culture, of the 

 maritime sections of the States above named, may be attribu- 

 table to the warmth that pervades the surface of the gulf 

 stream. The injury to fruit buds and blossoms by extreme 

 cold and frost is here almost entirely obviated. These 



