No. 4.] SOIL VARIATION. 25 



number of crops secured in the Appalachian region in any 

 considerable period, such as a decade, enables that section to 

 compete successfully in the production of these varieties. A 

 potent point to be considered, nevertheless, by the eastern 

 growers is the outlook for future markets. 



While the Appalachian region is admirably adapted to the 

 production of varieties which yield well and are far superior 

 to the Ben Davis and Gano in quality, the Ozarks have yet to 

 find an apple of high quality which approaches the Ben Davis 

 in prolificacy. And although varieties may, and probaldy 

 will, be developed which will replace the Ben Davis even 

 there to some extent, except possibly for exacting shipment, 

 it is certain to be grown there in enormous quantities for a 

 long time. Hence there is and will be, so far as competition 

 with that region is concerned, excellent opportunity for the 

 Appalachian districts to grow varieties that do not have to 

 compete with the Ben Davis, provided such varieties are 

 grown, packed and marketed in accord with the most advanced 

 methods. But this extra profit which may be obtained from 

 such fruit will never be realized by the slack or average 

 gi'ower. For these two reasons, then, the Ben Davis and 

 Gano are bound to remain as they are now, strong commer- 

 cial varieties over a large area, but New England can just as 

 well grow varieties of much Ix'ttcr quality that will also 

 bring good yields. Hence it would seem ill-advised to make 

 further plantings of these sorts within her boundaries. 



We have seen how several of our important crops have 

 reached their highest development on certain kinds of soil, 

 and in the light of this experience it seems inevitable to con- 

 clude that soils may be selected for different crops in accord- 

 ance with their relative adaptations to the growth of such 

 crops. In fact, there is nothing new or startling in this state- 

 ment. It is simply summing up a long line of experience 

 in the best farm practice of the country. Only the best farm 

 practice, the most perfect soil adaptation and the most effec- 

 tive soil-crop management can long survive, because no other 

 kinds pay as well. We have been forced by competition to 



