FRUIT-GROWING FOR PROFIT CLIMATE AND SOIL. 265 



LAND AND LOCATION. 



Certain districts are better suited by soil and climate for fruit production for profit 

 than others, and it is by having regard to these conditions the fitness of things that 

 success is achievable. Cultivators, therefore, who pay the most regard to the natural 

 adaptability of fruits to the soil and position, obtain the best results with the least 

 expenditure of labour and manures. It is not wise to assume that because there are 

 thousands of acres of land, bringing little or no profit to owners or occupiers under 

 ordinary agricultural crops, that such land, if planted with fruit trees, might be made to 

 return good profit. Everything in cases of this kind depends upon circumstances 

 climate or location and soil. 



Climate. A locality somewhat high, yet the site sheltered, and a pure atmosphere, 

 should be chosen for fruit-growing. The bottoms of valleys offer great inducements in 

 respect of soil, moisture, and shelter, but the blossom and young fruits are frequently 

 destroyed in low situations by spring frosts, while they escape on slopes and uplands. In 

 selecting a site give preference, therefore^ to ground above the line of fog and sheltered 

 by hills or trees. Those conditions are absolutely essential for the production of apples, 

 cherries, pears, and plums with certainty, and saleable at good prices. In many rural 

 districts, there are parishes, estates, and farms even those of 100 acres or less 

 which offer suitable sites for planting the trees. (See climate, page 58 ; situation and 

 shelter, page 65 ; Vol. I.) 



Soil. Aim at a good soil in a favourable situation, as these advantages secure an 

 abundance of good fruit over a long period at the least outlay in manures and culture. 

 A medium loam of good depth (2j to 3J feet), with a calcareous gravelly-clay subsoil, on 

 gravel or rock, and naturally drained, is the most suitable for fruit trees. Such soil 

 may only be found here and there, but there is far more fitted for fruit-growing than 

 is generally credited. A good idea of the fitness of a site and soil may be gathered 

 from the condition of fruit trees in the immediate locality. By taking note of those 

 growing in gardens or orchards, and of the kinds of fruits best succeeding, useful 

 information is obtained. Where there are no gardens or orchards, the condition of the 

 herbage, crops, and forest trees form a good criterion of fitness for fruit-growing. 

 Eich pasture land and that growing good crops of wheat will suit apples and pears ; 

 clover land is suitable for cherries, plums, and other stone fruits. If elm trees flourish 

 the soil and climate are not bad for fruit trees generally, whilst an apple soil is indicated 

 by thriving crab trees, a cherry soil by gumless wildings, a pear soil by fruitful thorns, 

 VOL. in. M M 



