])('s results from certain varieties of some crops have beem 

 obtained on definite soil conditions, and Ibis is especially 

 well illustrated by different varieties of apples. Other- 

 fruits such as the Peach and the Pear show a similar range 

 of soil adaptability as to the individual variety, but these 

 will not be considered at this time. It has seemed best to 

 use my time this morning in the discussing of such adapta- 

 tion principles rather than in discussing Massachusetts soil 

 in detail. In the latter individual locations are of absorb- 

 ing interest and are best brought out, perhaps were there- 

 time for it, in open discussion. 



Excellent opportunities for fruit culture in ]\Iassachus- 

 etts are abundant. No other state can grow a greater num- 

 ber of really good varieties of apples, and very few states 

 can equal her in this respect. Yet choice fruit is constantly 

 being brought into the state to supply her wants while cheap- 

 er fruit is as constantly being exported because it is not 

 grown as well as it should be. In common with other 

 northeastern states, Massachusetts possesses a climate in 

 which a large number of varieties of apples thrive. Her 

 soils vary greatly, but include large areas in the aggre- 

 gate which are well adapted to produce all the choice ap- 

 ples the State can consume. This land may be bought, 

 furthermore, at a low price— in fact at a lower price than in 

 many states that now ship large quantities of apples a long- 

 distance to markets. ^Massachusetts mai'kets are unexcelled, 

 and there are plenty of favorable soil areas within the state 

 on sites suitable for orcharding that are adapted to produc- 

 tive varieties of high quality and such lands may still be 

 bought for $10 to $30 an acre. It seems strange that such 

 opportunities have not been taken advantage of more fully, 

 yet I would not advocate that those without experience, or 

 at least careful study, plan orchards extensively eveji under 

 the favorable conditions that Massachusetts affords. Or- 

 charding is a business requiring a high degree of skill and 

 much patience, and there is danger lest some be led by the 

 present popular waA^e of enthusiasm for the business to en- 

 gage in it without due consideration of these matters. This 

 applies especially to urban dwellers who are unfamiliar with 

 crop growinsr, and for tbem in particular it may be said 

 that orcharding is an easy business to engage in, but suc- 

 cess is never easy in any line of business. Large plantings 

 of orchard are now being made in various parts of this 

 country. ]\Tany of these will be profitable and many others 



