36 THE NURSERY 



tain some small place that can be used. Among the things 

 to look for and consider might be mentioned the following: 

 The condition of the soil, ease of drainage or irrigation, 

 protection from winds or snow in the winter, convenience 

 in handling the work and protection from the various 

 domestic animals which may be kept on the place. 



Soil Requirements. On almost every fruit farm there 

 is some place where the soil conditions ought to be satis- 

 factory. The best soil would be a medium sandy loam 

 with a depth of three or four feet for deep root penetration. 

 If the under soil is too hard, the roots of the seedlings will 

 branch too much and become crooked. If it is too loose 

 it will be hard to maintain fertility and get the proper 

 growth. A little clay mixed with the under soil sufficient 

 to get a branching root system would be ideal. The top 

 soil should contain enough sand so that it will be easily 

 workable and will not puddle after rains or storms. If 

 the surface soil is heavy enough to form a crust after each 

 rain, it will be difficult to give sufficient cultivation, and 

 also the young seedlings will have trouble in pushing 

 through to the surface. A garden loam which is in good 

 cultivation and well cared for would do well for a small 

 nursery plat. Many streams or creeks have places along 

 their courses with unusually rich soil which will make 

 ideal conditions for nursery trees. Such places should 

 of course be above the high water mark. 



Drainage. The nursery plat should be well drained. 

 Water should not stand over the surface during the winter 

 and the subsoil ought to drain off readily in the spring down 

 to a depth of at least three feet. This is necessary to se- 



