2 FUNDAMENTALS OF FRUIT PRODUCTION 



of the United States Department of Agriculture, shows the damage 

 caused by injurious moisture conditions in comparison with other factors. 

 The figures on apples and berries are averages for the period 1912-1919 

 and on other crops selected in comparison for the period 1909-1919. 

 According to these estimates small fruits suffer more from drought than 

 from any other single factor, while apples are injured more only by cold 

 weather. 



Precipitation cannot be controlled. Soil moisture, however, is sus- 

 ceptible more or less to modification by various practices and adjust- 

 ments of fruits or of stocks for fruits can be made in some cases to the 

 moisture conditions of the soil. For these reasons recognition of soil 

 conditions, understanding of the water requirements of the various fruit 

 plants and knowledge of the relation of various cultural practices to 

 moisture control are of fundamental importance to the fruit grower. 



