SOILS OF MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT. 47 



the influence of the soil factor, not only upon general crop production 

 but also to some extent distinctively upon the different varieties of the 

 same crop. 



THE ADAPTEDNESS OF SOILS TO DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF 



APPLES. 



The character of the soil is only one of several factors that in- 

 fluence orcharding or other crop growth, and its importance in rela- 

 tion to the other agencies of climate, including temperatures, ex- 

 posure, rainfall, surface drainage, etc., should not be overestimated. 

 If, for example, the climatic conditions in any district are not favor- 

 able for a given variety, the character of the soil is of no importance 

 to the practical grower unless it serves to offset in some degree the 

 unfavorable tendency of the local climate. It is only within the 

 climatic limits which favor a given variety that its behavior as in- 

 fluenced by the character of the soil may be studied. In like manner, 

 surface drainage must be adequate, the water table far below the 

 surface, and the exposures identical, or approximately so, before 

 soil comparisons of value may be drawn. Apples ripen a bit later 

 upon a northerly slope than on a southern one, the elevation, cultiva- 

 tion, fertilization, the soil, the age of trees, etc., being the same; but 

 an earlier soil on the north side of the hill, such as a sandy loam, may 

 mature fruit as early as a heavier soil on the south side, though most 

 of these differences are comparatively slight. 



The necessity for good depth of subsoil can not be emphasized 

 too strongly. This applies to every variety of apple or other tree 

 fruit and to every type of soil in every series. Shallow soils should 

 be assiduously avoided for orchard purposes wherever they occur. 

 The presence of unbroken rock, large ledges, or hardpan within 3 

 feet of the surface should be considered prohibitive. A soil depth 

 of at least 6 feet should be insisted upon wherever possible and an 

 even greater depth is highly desirable. Soils with the underlying 

 rock too near the surface have been responsible not infrequently for 

 the failure of commercial orchards in some sections of the country. 

 This is due directly to the incapacity of the subsoil, on account of 

 its limited depth and volume, to store sufficient moisture for the 

 tree's needs when droughty conditions prevail or to get rid of excess 

 moisture early enough in the spring or following extended summer 

 rains. Subsoils devoid of stones are not infrequently found that are 

 so clayey in texture or so stiff in structure as to produce results similar 

 in kind even though usually less in degree. 



If, on the other hand, soils and subsoils of the proper texture and 

 structure have been selected, the presence of loose stones in the subsoil 

 in distinction from underlying rock is immaterial so long as their 

 quantity is insufficient to interfere to any great extent with the up- 



