36 



ORCHARD FRUITS IN VIRGINIA AND OTHER STATES. 



value, the importance of which is undoubtedly increasing. The tree is considered by- 

 fruit growers generally to be short lived, but no particular complaints of this kind 

 have been noted by the growers here. However, most of the trees are still compara- 

 tively young. The tree is satisfactorily productive as a rule, though under the usual 

 cultural conditions.it has "off" years, as do most varieties. 



Experience thus far indicates that the Grimes is a desirable variety to grow both 

 for home use and commercial purposes in most of the Piedmont and Blue Ridge 

 regions where conditions are suitable for the planting of apple orchards. The relative 

 elevation appears to be a particularly important factor in its effect upon the durability 

 of the fruit. Reference to its behavior at particular points will indicate the influence 

 of conditions upon it. An orchard 12 to 15 years old in Bedford County, Va., on 

 Porters clay, at 1,500 feet elevation with southeast exposure, produces fruit of unusual 

 excellence, notable for its good size, fine yellow color, crispness of texture, and rich, 

 spicy flavor. This orchard has had hardly fair care. The fruit of this variety from it 

 reaches edible maturity early in October, but possesses good keeping qualities for the 

 variety. On the same farm at a point having somewhat lower elevation and a looser 

 type of soil it matures considerably earlier and is not of such excellent flavor as from 

 the location above mentioned. Produced at elevations of 2,000 feet in the upper 

 sections of the Blue Ridge region it may be kept under fairly favorable conditions 

 until early winter. Grown on Cecil clay at 1,000 feet elevation it lacks the rich color 

 and high flavor mentioned above, the size is somewhat smaller, yet this combination 

 of conditions appears to meet the requirements of the variety fairly well. In certain 

 sections on Murrill clay loam the fruit appears to be susceptible to certain fungous 

 diseases, especially the so-called "cloud" or "sooty" fungus. But the location with 

 reference to air drainage may account for this. At points south of Virginia at the 

 elevations of the Piedmont region it is inclined to drop prematurely, but when grown 

 at points having not less than 1,500 feet altitude it is highly prized in its season. One 

 grower in the southwestern part of North Carolina has this variety at 2,500 to 2,800 feet 

 elevation, and also at an altitude 400 to 600 feet higher. It is his experience that the 

 fruit grown at the latter elevation will keep two months longer than that from the lower 

 level. The fruit is also finer in appearance and more satisfactory in every way at the 

 greater elevation. For best keeping qualities it should not be allowed to become too 

 mature before picking. 

 Hoover. Synonym: Black Coal. 



In the Virginia and North Carolina portions of the mountain region the Hoover is 

 widely distributed, though mostly in small plantings, but it is not grown extensively 

 in the Piedmont region. The orchards in South Carolina and Georgia seldom contain 

 it. In the Virginia section it is usually found at the higher altitudes growing on 

 Porters black loam. Under these conditions the color becomes very dark and glossy, 

 often almost black ; at lower levels it is somewhat dull in color and rather unattractive 

 in appearance. Its season of maturity is late fall, but fruit from the orchards of greatest 

 elevation may be kept until early winter. In North Carolina the conditions under 

 which the variety is grown have not been as carefully studied as in Virginia, but in 

 passing through the mountain sections one sees this variety very commonly. During 

 the fall it is the one most often brought to the stations for sale to passengers on the trains. 

 Jonathan. 



This variety occurs only rarely, and reference is here made to it because of the possible 

 value it may possess for these regions. The tree is not always as vigorous as might be 

 desired, but usually no serious difficulty exists in this respect. Fairly early bearing 

 i8 a characteristic. Normally its season is late fall to early winter, but if grown at 

 moderately high elevations it would probably reach maturity sufficiently late to per- 

 mit of its being handled in cold storage, for which it is especially well adapted. It 

 135 



