CHAPTER V 

 FRUIT GROWING 



FRUITS are grown in nearly all parts of the United States. 

 In many regions where the conditions of soil and climate 

 are especially suitable, fruit growing has developed into a 

 leading agricultural industry. Since some fruits may be 

 grown successfully on nearly every farm, each farmer 

 should possess the requisite knowledge and skill to pro- 

 duce enough first-class fruit for the table. 



Selecting a Site. In all fruit-growing regions and on 

 nearly all farms there are certain sites best adapted to 

 fruit growing. Most fruits demand a sloping site to give 

 good soil and air drainage. Fruit trees will not thrive on 

 poorly drained soil. A slope of four to five feet per hun- 

 dred is generally sufficient. Air drainage is as important 

 as soil drainage. Cold air is heavier than warm air and 

 settles in the low spots ; hence such places are more likely 

 to be visited by the late spring frosts when the trees are 

 in bloom, killing the blossoms and spoiling the crop. Sites 

 that are too steep are also objectionable as it is incon- 

 venient to cultivate, spray, and otherwise care for trees 

 on very steep land. 



The exposure of a site should also be considered. Fruits 

 growing on a southern slope blossom early, while those 

 on a northern slope, which is generally cooler and more 

 moist, blossom later. In growing early crops where there 



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