SELECTION OF FARM 



to deteriorate under exhaustive cropping 

 much more rapidly than limestone soils. 

 More fertilizers and other methods of soil 

 improvement are necessary in the case of 

 chestnut soils than in the case of lime- 

 stone valley soils. One of the first 

 questions to ask, therefore, concerning an 

 unknown farm in Pennsylvania is whether 

 or not chestnut trees grow naturally. It 

 does not follow, however, that chestnut soils 

 are undesirable. Much will depend upon 

 the crop or crops it is desired to raise. For 

 example, in some regions they are well 

 adapted to potatoes and peaches. In these 

 cases the cost of the fertilizers necessary to 

 keep the soil in proper condition is small 

 compared with the total return from the 

 crop. 



The pioneer's best guide as to the value of 

 new land was and is the vegetation growing 

 upon it, and, especially in a wooded country, 

 the native trees. Basswood, crab apple, wild 

 plum, black walnut, ash, hickory and hard 

 maple generally indicate a fertile soil. 

 White oak indicates only a moderate soil; 



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