STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. J"] 



peculiar influence in the behavior of all forms of life coming 

 within its domain. 



In our analysis of these more important agencies of influence, 

 we might include another factor co-ordinate with soil and cli- 

 mate, namely, elevation, which I consider to be one of the most 

 potent factors of all in its relation to the behavior of varieties, 

 "but as elevation has so much to do with determining the climate 

 of a place, its influence can well be considered under this caption. 



I have intimated that the soil factor is practically less impor- 

 tant than some of the others because of its susceptibility to 

 amelioration by the hand of man. though, considered apart by 

 itself, no one could gainsay the fact of its intimate relationship 

 with, and influence over the behavior of the fruits grown therein. 

 Let us consider briefly what some of these influences are. It 

 will bring this matter clearly to mind if it be stated that in order 

 for any soil to give satisfactory results for the growing of any 

 ■crop, three fundamental factors are essential : A sufficient amount 

 of available plant food ; a certain amount of moisture ; a proper 

 physical condition of the soil. The practical application of these 

 tenets readily follows, and requires only a passing notice. The 

 small, knotty, and in every way inferior apples that are produced 

 bv trees that are growing in inipoverished soil are a familiar 

 sight to all, and the corresponding improvement which comes 

 from the requisite application of plant food is as well known, 

 though perhaps not so commonly observed. The effect of '^^^ 

 much or too little moisture is seen on every hand. Sometimes 

 this is due to climatic conditions, but I am referring especially 

 to soil moisture, which, to a considerable extent, is independent 

 of climate. In this sense, a condition of too great moisture con- 

 tent is, perhaps, more common than the other extreme, as is evi- 

 dent in the case of land which is poorly drained. The evil influ- 

 ences of soil lacking humus, or of improper physical conditions 

 due to other causes, all manifest themselves in much the same 

 manner in their effect upon the crop, producing small, imperfect 

 specimens, generally of poor quality. 



The remedy for such variations from better standards, as 

 induced bv these soil conditions, is not difficult to state, in prin- 

 ciple, though it is not always an easy matter to fertilize, to dis- 

 pose of excessive moisture or to ameliorate the ph}-sical con- 



