36 



sand, together with sufficient clay and silt, would work no 

 harm. In general the sand content should be of the finer 

 grades but soils also occur, though comparatively rare, 

 which would be too heavy for this variety were it not for a 

 marked content of the coarse sands, the effect of which is 

 to make the soil mass much more friable and open than 

 would be expected with the presence of so much clay. Such 

 soil dries quickly after a rain, and is not to be classed as a 

 moist soil. It will never clod if worked under conditions 

 at all reasoixable. The subsoil on the other hand must nev- 

 er be heavy enough to impede ready drainage of excess 

 moisture, yet sufficiently clayey to retain a good moisture 

 supply ; that is, plastic, not stiff. If the subsoil be so clayey 

 or heavy that moisture does not percolate down through it 

 readily a Baldwin of poor color with a skin more or less 

 greasy is the usual result. 



The ideal to be sought is a heavy fine sandy loam, or 

 light mellow loam, underlain by plastic light clay loam or 

 heavy silty loam. It is fully realized that many will not 

 possess this ideal, but the soil that most closely resembles 

 it should be chosen. If corn be grown on such soil the lower 

 leaves will cure down before cutting time, giving evidence 

 of moderately early maturity. This is one of the safe crit- 

 erions by which to be guided i.n choosing soil for this varie- 



ty. 



Mention was not made in the above description of the 

 color of the, soil. The desirability of a surface soil of dark 

 brown, the color being due to the presence of decaying or- 

 ganic matter is unquestionable and generally recognized ; 

 and if the soil be not that color the successful orchardist 

 will so make it by the incorporation of organic matter 

 through the growth of leguminous crops, or otherwise. It 

 is often cheaper to buy soil with a good organic content, or 

 humus supply than it is to be compelled to put it there 

 after purchase before good crops can be secured. Hence 

 this is purely an economic feature. The warning should be 

 stated, however, that a soil should not be purchased or plant- 

 ed to apples of any variety because it is dark colored and 

 rich in humus. The soil should be selected because of its 

 textural and structural adaptation regardless of the organ- 

 ic content, then if such soils happen to be Avell supplied with 

 vegetable matter, so much the better ; if not, it may be sup- 

 plied. 



