28 ORCHARD FRUITS IN VIRGINIA AND OTHER STATES. 



THE POMO LOGICAL ASPECT OF THESE REGIONS. 



The natural advantages of the Piedmont and Blue Kidge regions 

 render them of special value for the growing of certain kinds of fruit. 

 The elevation is relatively high, ranging from 150 to 500 feet where 

 the Piedmont region joins the Coastal Plain to that of the loftiest 

 peaks east of the Rocky Mountains. The more extensive types of 

 soil are not only fairly fertile, but they possess physical character- 

 istics winch make them well suited to this purpose when the neces- 

 sary attention is given to the selection of proper varieties for the 

 different types. The climatic conditions are also favorable in a high 

 degree to the growing of many kinds of fruit. 



With these advantages of soil and climate there is also the advan- 

 tage of relatively close proximity to the great markets of the East 

 and to shipping points for the export trade. With good transporta- 

 tion facilities both north and south, successful competition with other 

 fruit-growing regions is made possible. 



Fruit growing in these regions, however, is only slightly developed 

 in comparison with the possibilities which exist in this direction. 

 The methods of orchard management are commonly faulty and not 

 productive of the best results which the natural advantages make pos- 

 sible. Notwithstanding these conditions, large quantities of excellent 

 fruit, but principally apples, are grown in some portions of these re- 

 gions, notably in the Virginia and North Carolina sections, and to a 

 lesser extent in the other States included in the territory under dis- 

 cussion. In the South Carolina section there are very few orchards 

 of commercial size, while in northern Georgia commercial fruit grow- 

 ing has been given much attention during the past few years. In 

 certain sections of the latter State peaches have been planted exten- 

 sively; apples have not been planted as much, but the possibility of 

 growing some varieties to a high degree of perfection has been clearly 

 demonstrated. The rather loose, friable soils of the southern Blue 

 Ridge region of this section of Georgia, together with an abundant 

 rainfall and relative freedom from late spring frosts, make this section 

 especially well suited to the successful growing of a great variety of 

 Temperate Zone fruits. 



THE VARIETY PROBLEM. 



In the consideration of the varieties that have been observed under 

 the conditions which exist in the regions in question, the following 

 points should be noted. 



When the study of the varieties was begun, the serious confusion 

 existing in the nomenclature at once became apparent and has been 

 encountered throughout these investigations. Frequently some local 

 name has become attached in different sections to a well-known va- 



135 



