16 APPLES AND PEACHES IN THE OZARK REGION. 



growing regions, especially in the Eastern States. This unusual tree 

 growth can not be attributed, however, to any unusual fertility of the 

 soil, as the general farm crops grown in the region do not indicate that 

 it is more fertile than good farming land in many other regions. It 

 is probable that the character of the subsoil contributes very largely 

 to the rapid growth of the trees. As a rule, in most of the types the 

 subsoil is relatively loose and porous and generally it has considerable 

 depth. These conditions are favorable to the development of good 

 root systems, and it is perhaps of even greater importance that the 

 subsoil is of such a character that it provides an exceptionally good 

 reservoir for the storage of soil moisture. 



CLIMATE. 

 CLIMATIC CONDITIONS A LIMITING FACTOR IN FRUIT GROWING. 



In any comprehensive investigation of a given region with regard 

 to its possibilities for fruit growing and in the consideration of all 

 questions connected therewith relating to varieties, the climatic con- 

 ditions of the region call for the most critical attention. While it 

 may not be entirely correct to say that climate is more often the 

 " limiting factor" in fruit production than anything else, yet it is 

 hardly possible to overestimate the importance of climatic conditions 

 in their relation to fruit culture. 



The more important climatic factors limiting profitable fruit pro- 

 duction may be stated as follows: 



The temperature factor. — (1) Excessively low during the dormant period, causing 

 injury to fruit trees or buds; (2) excessively high during the dormant period, 

 causing buds to swell and become tender, making them susceptible to injury 

 later even by seasonable temperatures; (3) excessively low during the blossom- 

 ing period, resulting in destructive frosts, or sometimes in preventing the pollen 

 from germinating, thus making it impossible for the fruit to set; (4) destructive 

 freezes subsequent to the setting of the fruit; (5) probably in some instances 

 excessively high temperatures during the blossoming period, causing inter- 

 ference with the proper setting of the fruit. 



The moisture factor . — (1) Excessive rains during the blossoming period, which may 

 wash away the pollen; (2) rains or continuously damp, cloudy weather, which 

 prevent the pollen grains from being properly freed for dissemination; (3) rains 

 that prevent the activity of insects, which bring about the cross-pollination 

 which is necessary with some fruits; (4) excessive droughts, which injure trees 

 or buds; (5) occasional precipitation in such excess as to affect the healthful- 

 ness of the trees. 



The wind factor. — (1) So strong and continuous during the blossoming period as to 

 prevent the activity of insects upon which pollinization often depends; (2) 

 causing damage to trees or fruit at some period during growth; (3) in its relation 

 to the evaporation of moisture and the serious results which may follow, espe- 

 cially during protracted droughts. 



The relative amounts of sunshine and cloudiness and the intensity of the sunshine 

 are also potent factors in their influence upon the behavior of varieties. 

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