Practical Orcharding On Rough Lands. 41 



for information, where better shall we turn for 

 more striking lessons than nature gives us in 

 the forests. We recognize white oak land or 

 black walnut land when we see it, simply by 

 seeing certain kinds of timber growing on this 

 particular soil. So as we go through the 

 country and observe this fact we come to recog- 

 nize these soils as adapted to the growth of cer- 

 tain trees, shrubs and vines. Then a good plan 

 would be to examine the old trees or orchards 

 where there are trees of the varieties decided 

 upon, and after considering their location, soil, 

 altitude, etc., draw a comparison, (for it is by 

 comparison that we should study all these 

 things) with this soil, and the soil of the site 

 to be planted, and then be governed accord- 

 iagly. This will prove much safer than the 

 haphazard plan of planting any varieties on 

 any soil, regardless of their likes or dislikes. If 

 the varieties are not just what are wanted, then 

 take some member of the same family, whose 

 color, size, etc., may suit better. For instance, 

 if the Winesap is succeeding, but if you object 

 to them on account of the fruit growing smaller 

 as the trees attain age, so that they are too small 

 to meet the requirements of your market; then 

 do as the stockman who likes Short Horn cat- 

 tle. The strain he has may not be his ideal 



