64 THE APPLE CULTUMIST. 



The best Soil for Apples. The most desirable soil for ap- 

 ples is one where there is a liberal supply of both clay and 

 sand. Indeed, apple-trees must have both clay and sand, 

 or they will not yield abundant crops of fruit for a long 

 time. Consequently, a good fertile loam, which supplies 

 both, will be found an excellent soil for an apple orchard. 

 In numerous instances, a deep alluvial soil if it happens 

 to be of the right character will be found excellent for 

 either apples or pears. The fact that the roots of an ap- 

 ple-tree must be supplied with clay and sand, enables the 

 beginner to improve his ground for apples, when either 

 clay or sand is lacking, or when there is an excess of clay, 

 and a deficiency of sand, and vice versa. Where the soil 

 is deep and light, composed largely of sand and muck and 

 leaf-mould, let two or three tons of clay be spread on the 

 surface of the ground, in late autumn or winter, where 

 each tree is to- be planted. Then, in the spring, as it will 

 be fine, let it be mingled with the light soil. On the con- 

 trary, if the soil is heavy, add sand, muck and leaf-mould ; 

 and mingle such additions thoroughly with the soil. Pile 

 on, also, gas-house lime, old and quick-lime, leached, un 

 leached, and coal ashes, chip-dirt, sawdust, fertile street dirt, 

 scrapings of the manure-yard, tan bark, leather shavings, 

 refuse of woollen mills, and all such manurial material as 

 can readily be obtained. It will pay to cart sawdust two 

 miles to put around apple-trees, as such material will fur- 

 nish much of the best quality of food for the hungry roots 

 of growing trees. Good barn-yard manure is also excellent 

 for growing trees ; and there is no danger of applying too 

 much of it. But all such articles should be worked into 

 the soil, where the roots can feed on such portions as will 

 promote the growth of the trees and the development of 

 the fruit. 



We have met with scores of orchards in New Jersey 



