No. 4.] SOIL IN FRUIT CULTURE. 67 



of clay in it, it is excellent. However, if you have a wandy 

 loam, certain treatment can be given to this soil which will 

 give excellent results in growing tree fruits. It is an in- 

 teresting fact that upon Long Island, and in other sections 

 where the soil is very open and sandy, there is more or less 

 variation in the character of the land, small percentages of 

 loam and clay appearing ; and upon these loamy sands some 

 excellent apple orchards are to be found. 



The finest grapes are those that are grown upon the shale, 

 rei)resented in this type. The shale and the gravel will 

 produce the finest grapes. You will get a sweeter grape 

 grown upon the shale than upon the clay, for the reason 

 that it does not hold quite so much moisture. It is a 

 warmer soil. It is generally I'ich in phosphoric acid and 

 potash, and that will give you a sweeter grape. Grapes 

 on shales, and peaches on sandy loams ; peaches do best 

 on the sandy loam. For peaches, I would always choose 

 the sandy loam, although good peaches are grown on clay 

 loam. 



Most valuable service is being rendered to farmers and 

 fruit growers ])y the United States Department of Agricul- 

 ture in the soil surveys which are being made in different 

 sections of the country, to determine the adaptability of the 

 soil to different crops. Farmers and fruit growers will find 

 great benefit in procuring the reports of the surveys and 

 investigations which are pul^lished, and from them studying 

 their own individual farms, and cultivating more largelj^ 

 those crops for which their soil is best adapted. I think 

 the department has never done more valuable service than 

 in making these surveys, and carefully stud3ang the geo- 

 logical character of the soil and its adaptability to cro})S 

 that may best be grown upon it. It is most invaluable 

 service, and gives to owners of land new advantages in its 

 management. 



There is much land in New England that is well adapted 

 to fruit growing. That in the more northern portions is 

 well adapted to the production of apples. The land in 

 Massachusetts, especially in the eastern part, produces pears 

 of fine quality and of the highest value. I have always 



