CHAPTER IV 



Home Orchards in the South 



Home Orchard for the Coastal Plain Section 



For the Piedmont Region Varieties Suited to 



Each District 



' TT 7ITH practically every variety of soil, combined with a long 

 W growing season, it is possible in the South to have a con- 

 tinuous supply of fresh fruit throughout a large part of the 

 year. Yet most people do without the good things that a home fruit 

 planting would afford, simply because they have never tried it out." 

 So writes Prof. W. N. Hutt, State Horticulturist of North Carolina, 

 in The Country Gentleman, by whose courtesy I am permitted to quote 

 the following paragraphs: 



"There is a good deal in the variety question. Experience has 

 shown that while a few varieties may be grown pretty generally 

 over the country most kinds are local and show predilections for 

 certain soils and climatic conditions. These plant preferences have 

 been kept in mind as far as possible in preparing the accompanying 

 fruit lists for the Piedmont and the Coastal regions. 



"I have submitted no plan for a home orchard in the mountain 

 regions, as the mountain territory of the South is confined to a 

 relatively small part of a few States. A high altitude in the South 

 assures the same cool climate as a Northern latitude. In places 

 above 2000 feet practically all the Northern classes and varieties of 

 fruit do as well as they do in the Northern States and in Canada. 

 Northern Spy, Wealthy, Spitzenberg and Snow Apples from the 

 high region of the South look as handsome and taste as good as fruit 

 of those varieties grown in the North. As the fruit of the home orchard 

 is for home use and local market, consideration is given only to varieties 

 of high quality rather than to those for shipping. 



"Each of these home orchards is planned to occupy one acre 

 of ground, which is practically 210 feet square. The same collection 

 of fruit can, of course, be arranged in a rectangular lot, and changing 

 the square into an oblong will facilitate cultivation and save a good deal 

 of turning. The plans may be increased by the addition of extra 

 varieties desired, or used as minimum units to be doubled or trebled on 

 larger pieces of land. In all the fruit lists, the varieties are given in 

 order of ripening. 



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