TWENTY-SIXTH SESSION. 
73 
tions of tlie bays and inlets. The State reaches from the sea to the highest 
crests of the Alleghanies and has, because of its varied elevation and prox- 
imity to the sea every shade of climate from semi-tropical about the lower 
borders of the Dismal Swamp to a sub-boreal along the higher ridges of the 
Alleghanies. 
The wide range of elevation and the varied climatic phenomena are 
accompanied by a like variety of geological strata; hence the soil varies much 
and renders the question of orcharding one of extreme complexity. 
The physical features mentioned above have led to the division of the state 
into six regions or divisions more or less clearly defined by their geological 
strata and less clearly marked by 'climatic phenomena. 
TIDEWATER VIRGINIA. 
The region or division beginning at the sea is known as the Coast 
Plain or Tidewater, which stretches inland to a line, drawn from a point 
a few miles above Alexandria on the Potomac river, in a south-easterly 
direction to Fredericksburg, southward to Richmond, Petersburg and the 
North Carolina line. This district embraces eleven thousand three hundred 
and fifty square miles, or more than one-fourth of the entire area of the 
State. The highest elevations within this district reach only a few feet 
above tide. These are bluffs on the rivers and the ridges between the streams. 
It is characterized by magnificent, broad rivers and the navigable waters 
of the state are wholly within its borders. The soil is mostly drift and 
detritus from the upper regions of the state and, except in cases of alluvial 
deposits, it is thin and easily worn. While it is possible to grow apple 
trees to perfection in this section, the climatic conditions affecting the fruit 
are such that commercial apple growing is out of the question. In passing, 
I would like to say that pear and plum growing and small fruit growing 
offer great opportunities. 
MIDDLE VIRGINIA. 
The next district of the state lies westward of the line mentioned. It is 
known as Middle Virginia and extends from a line on the Potomac about 
forty miles above Washington, in a southwestwardly direction to a point on 
the North Carolina line about twenty-five miles west of Danville, thus mark- 
ing off a large triangular tract twelve thousand four hundred and seventy 
square miles in extent, bounded on the west— northwest by the Piedmont 
formation, the border of which is in many cases marked by a low range of 
outlying mountains, a part of the Appalachian system. This section of the 
state varies in elevation from the head of Tidewater to about five hundred 
feet above tide; and on the whole is characterized by a thin soil which has 
been in many cases so worn and depleted as to make it unproductive. It is, 
throughout its extent, an undulating, gently rolling plain, crossed by numer- 
our rapid rivers. This portion of the state, because of its climatic conditions 
is not a commercial apple growing section. In certain parts, especially along 
the more western borders of the district, apple growing is conducted with 
fair success but this section is not a factor in the commercial orcharding of 
the state. 
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