their ii^terest. The experiences given and the theories ad- 

 vanced are many and conflicting, but out of the great mass 

 of material obtained there is much that is suggestive. 



1. Influence of Soil on Hardiness. 



It is usually held that trees are hardiest on sandy, gravelly 

 or stony soils. In the orchards of Michigan the growers 

 consulted held this to be the case almost without exception. 

 But in New York the kind of soil seems to make but little 

 difference, providing it is warm and dry. If these two factors 

 be favorable, even the tender peach seems to thrive in any 

 of the soils of New York. 



In the investigations made, then, this point is clear; the 

 peach must have a warm, dry soil to secure the greatest 

 possible hardiness inherent in the species. This holds with 

 all fruits. Only in such a soil can trees make a strong, firm, 

 well-matured growth that seems to be conducive to hardiness. 

 A warm soil is especially necessary to secure a growth that 

 will withstand cold. Plants in a warm soil, so physiological 

 botanists tell us, have more and smaller cells in their tissues, 

 and therefore a more condensed sap, both of which conditions 

 seem most favorable to hardiness. 



Many growers in both States speak of the desirability of a 

 gravelly subsoil to secure a hardy tree. Such a subsoil seems 

 to be conducive to the warmth and dryness of roots, and it is 

 probable that, so far as hardiness is concerned, it matters 

 little whether this subsoil be overlaid with sand, gravel, loam, 

 clay or combinations of these. 



2. Does the Amount of Moisture in the Soil in Winter 

 AFFECT Hardiness of Trees? 



The evidence as regards this point is clear. Either extreme 

 of moisture — excessive wetness or excessive dryness — gives 

 favorable conditions for winterkilling. A wet soil is conducive 

 to sappiness in the tree and also freezes deeply. 



On the other hand, severe cold, especially cold alternating 

 with warm weather or accompanied with dry winds, causes 

 evaporation of water from trees, and if the soil be so dry as 

 not to furnish moisture to replace the evaporated water, 



