40 



to promote growth faster than the tree is able to mature 

 well. On the other hand, sandy soils while producing good 

 color and clear skins fail to bring fruit satisfactory in qual- 

 ity with respect to texture and flavor, especially if the fruit 

 be held for very long. The commercial keeping quality, 

 too, is inferior to that of the Spy grown on heavier soils in 

 the same district. Hence the soil requirements of this varie- 

 ty are decidedly exacting, and are best supplied apparently 

 by a medium loam underlain by a heavy loam or light clay 

 loam, that is, a soil as heavy as can be selected without in- 

 curring the danger of inferior drainage, for a poorly 

 drained soil should in no case be used. It is surely best 

 not to plant Northern Spy on a soil lighter than a very 

 heavy fine sandy loam, underlain by a light clay loam, or 

 possibly a heavy loam. Good air drainage is also very es- 

 sential Avith this variety. 



WAGENER SOILS 



In northeast Pennsylvania where the climatic condi- 

 tions are not greatly dissimilar to those of this state Wag- 

 ener is one of the most profitable sorts for filler purposes. 

 It gave remarkable results, too. in northeastern IMassachu- 

 setts last year at a very low altitude, and in the western 

 part of the state at an altitude of nearly 1200 feet it is doing 

 very well indeed. The tree is weak in growth, hence a soil 

 that is deep, strong, mellow and loamy should be selected. 

 Stiif subsoils are especially objectionable with this variety, 

 and thin soils, also lis-ht sandy soils should be avoided. The 

 Wagener thus fits in nicely willi Xortliern Spy in soil re- 

 quirements, and its habit of early bearing makes an effect- 

 ive offset to the tardiness of the Northern Spy in this respect. 



:\IcINTOSH SOILS 



This is a sort of high quality that is now very popular. 

 As Mcintosh trees of sufficient age for safe comparisons are 

 rarely available in this state, over atiy considerable range of 

 soil conditions, no positive statement is made concerning 

 the soil preferences of this variety. The indications are, 

 howevep, that the heavier of the Baldwin soils as described 

 are desirable for the Mcintosh. 



TOMPKINS KING SOILS 



The Tompkins King is fully as exacting as . Northern 

 Spy in soil adaptation. The tree with its straggling tenden- 



