CHAPTER VII 

 ORCHARD SOILS 



Students of every phase of plant production, from, the 

 extreme specialist in the greenhouse to the extensive grower 

 of field crops, find a common interest in a study and under- 

 standing of the soil. The most casual observation shows 

 that soils vary in their nature or physical make-up and 

 that plants flourish differently on the types. Researches 

 during the past quarter of a century have added greatly 

 to the knowledge of this subject and have opened up numer- 

 ous new phases which must be considered by the student 

 of soil science. It is not possible nor desirable, however, to 

 enter into a full discussion of the properties of soils in this 

 connection, but a brief outline of the types that commonly 

 occur in the fruit regions should be reviewed. 



111. Factors involved. — It is of course true that several 

 factors must enter into consideration when selecting an 

 orchard site. The location of the land as regards market 

 conditions is of such great practical importance that a 

 less valuable soil may be chosen in order to meet this re- 

 quirement. Also the elevation in order to obviate frosts 

 must be considered. An otherwise good slope may be so 

 "seepy " owing to the geological formation that its use for 

 orcharding is prohibitive without drainage. Also the pre- 

 vious treatment of the land and the supply of humus and 

 calcareous material may greatly affect the desirability of 

 the land for fruit-growing. Aside from these features, how- 

 ever, the mechanical or physical make-up of the soil is 

 fundamental and worthy of careful study. Fortunately 

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