PLANNING FOR THE ORCHARD 



the poorest soil on the farm. The best or- 

 chards occupy the best soils, although fairly 

 good results are often obtained on poor or 

 medium soils. The relative importance which 

 is attached to the orchard enterprise must also 

 govern the choice of soil. If apples are to be 

 a prominent crop they should be given the pref- 

 erence as to soil; If not, they may be given a 

 place In accordance with what Is expected of 

 them. 



Soils — In general, the apple prefers a rather 

 strong soil, neither very heavy nor very light. 

 Subsoil Is rather more Important than surface 

 soil, although the latter should be friable and 

 easily worked. The apple follows good timber 

 successfully. Heavy clay soils are apt to be too 

 cold, compact, and wet; light sandy soils too 

 loose and dry. A medium clay loam or a 

 gravelly clay loam, underlaid by a some- 

 what heavier but fairly open clay subsoil 

 is thought to be the best soil for apples. 

 Broadly considered, medium loams are best. 

 The lighter the soil the better will be the 

 color of the fruit as a rule, and so, also, 

 the heavier the soil and the more nitrogen and 

 moisture It holds the greater the tendency to 

 poorly colored fruit. In the same way light 



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