CHOOSING AND KUYING A FARM 521 



An elevation above the surrounding country is some- 

 times desirable for avoidance of frost. In the peach 

 sections of northern New Jersey, the valleys are best 

 for grain crops, but are not good for peaches, because 

 the late spring frosts are so likely to kill the buds. The 

 trees in the valleys bloom a little earlier. Frosts some- 

 times occur in the valleys when the higher land is exempt. 

 Fungous diseases are also worse in the valleys than on the 

 higher land that has good air drainage. 



In regions where there are great differences in elevation, 

 the climate of the hill lands is very different from that of 

 the low lands. The soils are usually very different. 

 Persons who have grown up in a plains region like the 

 corn-belt are easily misled when they go to a hilly coun- 

 try. It is hard to understand that in the same neighbor- 

 hood, differences in elevation may make a difference of 

 two weeks in the time of planting crops. There are many 

 places in the Northeastern States where the level valley 

 land sells for $100 per acre while level land on the hill 

 tops a few miles away sells for $10. 



If there is any danger from drought, side hills are much 

 more affected than level land. Not only does much of 

 the water run off, but the evaporation is usually more, 

 particularly from the south and west slopes. In a region 

 of fairly good rainfall, the hillsides are often really semi- 

 arid. 



322. Fertility of the soil. On pages 503 to 513, there 

 is a discussion of this very important point. The natural 

 fertility of the land is more important than the present 

 condition. By studying the crops and weeds on the farm, 

 as discussed on pages 511 to 513, one may gain a fair 

 idea of its fertility. The crops on adjoining farms should 

 also be examined. A chemical analysis of the soil of a 



