36 



cd such land be well drained, well aired, fairly well stocked 

 with available plant food and in such a physical condition 

 as to permit of an unrestricted root-run. Yet to some extent 

 the different Small-Fruits are particular as to soils. The 

 gooseberry and currant are more at home in a cool, rather 

 heavy type of soil, than in one which is too hot and too 

 sandy. Dewberries, on the other hand, prefer a light, warm, 

 sundy loam, wdiile fortunately strawberries and raspberries 

 are quite cosmopolitan on a wide range of soils between the 

 two extremes. Studying the question still closer we find 

 that varieties themselves have preferences and the one 

 variety does best on one type of soil, as for instance the 

 Gandy strawberry prefers a clay loam, while another variety 

 of the same class does much better on some other soil type. 

 It is. however, exceedingly difficult to determine accurate!}' 

 Avhat particular varieties grow best in their particular soil 

 as all of the factors which adapt a soil to a variety and a 

 variety to a soil are not apparent and their adaptability can 

 most accurately be determined only by trial. 



THE LOCATION.— The leading factors which deter- 

 nnne the most desirable locations for Small-Fruits have al- 

 ready been mentioned. In addition to these, other questions 

 are intimately connected with that of location. The ideal 

 Small-Fruit location includes not only good local market but 

 at the same time is provided with ample facilities either by 

 -uater or rail for shipping to other good but more distant 

 markets. Light and warm soils with southern slopes may 

 be of some value to hasten the ripening season, while the 

 heavier, cooler soils with a northern exposure may delay the 

 harvest season to take advantage of the later markets; 

 gentle slopes are more desirable than the steeper hillsides 

 and an altitude slightly above the adjoining country at 

 least on one side aids materially in securing both surface 

 drainage and what is of equal importance good atmospheric 

 drainage. Bodies of water adjacent to the Small-Fruit 

 plantation may to some extent offer protection owing to 

 their equalizing effect on temperatures both in summer and 



