APPLES. f>4 i 



accumulate. Fresh nitrates are formed each year from the decomposition of humus 

 by the oxidation effected through the agency of minute organisms, one kind converting 

 matter into nitrites, and the other transforming these into nitrates; therefore, the fertility 

 of soil depends upon its yielding nitric acid and mineral substances in due proportion, 

 and in available form, as needed for food by trees. A soil is fertile in proportion to the 

 varied character of its ingredients. Sand, clay, or limestone separately do not form 

 good soil, but an admixture of sand, clay, pulverised limestone, and humus judiciously 

 blended constitutes a fertile soil. When the soil consists of sand, siliceous and calcareous, 

 from 50 to 70 per cent. ; clay 20 to 30 per cent, ; lime 6 to 10 per cent. ; and humns 

 5 to 10 per cent. it is made warm and permeable by air and rain by the sand, clay renders 

 it moist and retentive of manures, lime decomposes organic matter, and humus supplies 

 material for the manufacture of food. Such is a good apple soil when properly tilled. 

 Brick-earth and alluvial soils answer to this description, and are generally good apple 

 producers. They consist of matter worn from hillsides and washed on to slopes and 

 plains by the rain. 



A study of the soils of these islands leads to the conclusion that they are richer in 

 their variety than perhaps any other area of equal size on the face of the earth. It has 

 to be remembered, however, that not only the mineral composition of the soil, but its 

 altitude, aspect, and slope are important factors in determining its availability for fruit 

 production. Two soils of identical components may differ greatly in their value for 

 apples, as one may be on a gentle slope merely raised above the line of fog, with a south 

 aspect, while the other may be highly elevated, slope sharply, and have a north expo- 

 sure. The former will derive the most benefit from rain, receive the most sun, and be less 

 liable to have its ameliorated surface washed away. The underlying stratum is also 

 important, for it may be clay, and therefore resisting the downward passage of water ; 

 or the surface accumulations may rest on sand, gravel, or chalk, and hence permeable 

 to rain and air. These are important considerations in connection with water supply and 

 drainage, and must not be overlooked in selecting sites. A garden without water is 

 practically useless ; a water-logged soil is worse than useless ; and a thin shallow soil 

 over sand, gravel, or chalk is a gormandiser of manures. A stubborn soil, however, well 

 repays judicious outlay in draining, working, and even burning. The drainage and 

 amelioration of soils, also their moisture and temperature as affected by cultural 

 conditions, have already received a large share of attention ; therefore, we now pass to 

 .suitable soils for apple production. 



