128 



To obtain, then, the best quahty of York Imperial consistent 

 with heavy yield and good exterior appearance this variety should 

 be planted, I believe, on a heavy well-drained soil. A mellow clay 

 loam surface underlaid by clay loam or even clay in this region, 

 so long as it is not stiff enough to prevent the ready penetration 

 of the roots, would be particularly desirable. The elevation of 

 South Mountain above the surrounding countrv is undoubtedly 

 a desirable factor, though its superiority over the lower slopes of 

 the same range could hardly be verv marked where the soil condi- 

 tions are equaHzed. 



There are no soils in this vicinity too heavy for the York Im- 

 perial. Hence I would suggest that the heaviest or most clayey 

 soils be selected for this varietv, where drainage is good and at 

 the highest local elevation available. The Cecil soils as mapped 

 in the Adams County Soil Survey, especially in the northern part 

 of the county, the heavier parts of the Porters loam and the Porters 

 stony loam, the Alont Alto loam and stony loam are very desirable, 

 and the heavier members of the Leesburg, the Duffield, the Hagers- 

 town and the Penn soils where the elevation is sufficient are also 

 good, ranking in the order named. The ]\Iont Alto, Leesburg and 

 Duffield soils were not mapped in Adams county, but they occur 

 not far north and west of South ^fountain, and have been mapped 

 this season on the Reconnoissance Soil Survev of South Central 

 Pennsylvania. 



The Stayman is so near the crest of popularity at the present 

 time that it is being planted extensively in many parts of this state 

 regardless of conditions, either of climate or of soil. It is un- 

 doubtedly a very desirable acquisition to the list of varieties suited 

 to this immediate vicinitv and in general to southeastern and cen- 

 tral Pennsylvania, but I doubt whether it is any more cosmopoHtan 

 as to soil and climatic conditions than several other well established 

 sorts, such as the York and Baldwin. 



The Stayman has given its best results, as observed up to this 

 time, on soils of mediumi texture that are not above the average in 

 productivity, and on medium to heavy sand}^ loams. The tree is 

 naturally strong in growth hence its vegetative habit should not be 

 intensified bA' an excessively rich and productive soil. The color 

 of the fruit is verv liable to be deficient, hence moist rich loams and 

 clay loams should be carefully avoided. The variety has shown a 

 tendency this year to crack open just ahead of picking season, and 

 while the damage has not been heavv, neither is the indication re- 

 assuring. Very likely this tendency is due in part to w^eather con- 

 ditions of the present season, but I want aeain to call vour attention 

 to the climatic conditions maintained by the soil and subsoil, espe- 

 cially the latter, and that the roots of a tree are in a verv definite 

 climatic environment which is locallv controlled largely by the water- 

 holding capacity of the subsoil. The latter in turn depends princi- 

 pally upon the texture and structure. The bursting of apples on 

 the tree is generallv attributed to a too rapid growth, except as 

 it may be a varietial tendency. Early seasonal growth is obtained 

 on sandy soils, but the strongest vegetative growth the season 

 through is obtained from rich moist loams. From such soils large 



