CONDITIONS FOR THE APPLE 225 



occasionally ripens. An instance is on record at Chino, San Ber- 

 nardino County, where in 1903 a tree ripened its first crop in June, 

 an<l its last fruit was picked on Christmas day following. Such 

 behavior, of course, indicates conditions ill suited to the apple. 



Exposures for the Apple. The choice of exposure for an apple 

 orchard may almost be inferred from what has been said about 

 localities. In regions with high summer temperature the apple 

 will do best on cool, northerly slopes, and this exposure becomes 

 doubly desirable when the location has high temperature with only 

 moderate annual rainfall, or where the soil is not well adapted to 

 the retention of moisture. With such prevailing conditions, the 

 apple will be grateful for the cooler air and the greater moisture 

 of the northerly slope. Where the temperature is moderately 

 cool, and the rainfall adequate, the matter of exposure is of less 

 account, and the grower can make the existence of the best soil 

 the test of location of his orchard. At elevations on the sides of 

 high ranges where late cold storms are liable to rush down from 

 higher snow fields, protection from the usual course of such storms, 

 or from the course of cold winds generally, must be sought; and 

 directly up the coast, especially in the northern part of the State, 

 in certain places where the peach does not usually succeed even 

 the apple needs protection, and the benefit of all heat available, 

 and then a southerly or southeasterly exposure becomes desirable. 

 The choice of exposure is thus seen to be largely a local question 

 and to be determined by a knowledge of local conditions. A new- 

 comer in a region can best learn these conditions by conference 

 with older residents, or by personal observation of older orchards. 



Soils for the Apple. Experience with the apple in California 

 confirms what has long been set forth as its choice of soils in older 

 regions. If one avoids an extremely light, sandy soil on the one 

 hand, and a very stiff clay or adobe on the other, he may plant 

 apples on almost any soil which allows extension of the roots to 

 a considerable depth without reaching standing water. The apple 

 thrives in a moist soil, but it must be well drained, naturally or 

 otherwise. A soil which may be called best for the apple is a deep, 

 rich, moist, calcareous loam, but the tree will thrive on coarser 

 materials. The subsoil, whatever its nature, must be sound and 

 open to the passage of moisture. The most unfavorable condition 

 for the tree is a subsoil of clay which holds water. There is some 

 difference in varieties as to choice of soil. The Yellow Bellflower, 

 for instance, will do well on a lighter soil than the Yellow New- 

 town Pippin. 



