SOILS FOR THE QUIHCE. 35 



may be used for the quince. This is especially true all 

 along the sea-coast of the New England and the Middle 

 States. 



In many sections of the country, soils of all these 

 varieties will be found along the rivers. There will be, 

 first, the alluvial of the river basin in a strip along the 

 river bank, varying in width, and overflowed every year 

 by freshets, which leave it more or less enriched by silt. 

 Then, secondly, there will be the belt of sandy soil, 

 usually a rich loam, suited for almost every kind of crop. 

 Back of this, and rising on the hill-side, is the more 

 sandy and gravelly land, of variable quality, and more 

 affected by droughts. The middle belt is preferable for 

 the quince, as, indeed, it is for most other crops. But 

 on them all the quince will succeed by skilful manage- 

 ment. 



The quality of the fruit on a wet soil is much more 

 woody and astringent than on a rich and well-drained soil. 

 A wet soil is always inimical to successful fruit culture. 

 If for any cause it is desired to plant trees where a wet 

 and heavy soil cannot be properly drained, the ground 

 should be raised enough for the surplus water to pass off ; 

 though it is doubtful whether any amount of drainage 

 can make a spot so situated profitable for this purpose. 

 Excessive moisture is as bad as want of water. 



A soil that is too dry will retain needed moisture in 

 the heat of summer by being well cultivated. A hard 

 and shallow soil, by being worked deep, and thoroughly 

 mellowed, will resist drought successfully. But if the sub- 

 soil be clayey we must not deepen so as to make the soil 

 hold water like a basin. In deepening a clay soil very 

 much we may necessitate drainage. Water-soaked roots 

 are no better for the health of the tree than wet feet are 

 for the health of man. 



