458 GAKDENING FOK THE SOUTH. 



When this mineral is not abundant in the soil, the tree 

 cannot be kept healthy. Swamp muck or leaf mould, 

 composted with lime and bone-dust, or ashes, are the best 

 manures for the apple tree. The best soil for the apple, 

 in this climate, is a deep, cool, moist loam; a northern, or 

 northwest aspect, is preferable to any other. One of the 

 greatest difficulties to be encountered in the cultivation 

 of the apple is the sun-burning of the trunk, which can 

 be prevented by training the trees with low heads, so as 

 to shade their trunks from the rays of the sun. 



Fig. 154. 



By shortening in the branches of the young trees, when 

 transplanted into garden or orchard, they can be made to 

 put out branches about two feet from the ground, which 

 is about the proper height to form a good top. The apple 

 tree needs but little pruning; removing the water-sprouts 

 and such limbs as cross each other is about all that is 

 required. 



The following varieties are of general interest and are 

 adapted to most sections of the South : 



Arkansas (Black Twig). — Good average size, round 



