74 
AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
THE PIEDMONT SECTION. 
The next step upwards, speaking as regards elevation, brings us to the 
Piedmont section of the state wffiieh comprises a long narrow parallelogram 
lying between Middle Virginia and the upper slopes of the Blue Ridge 
mountains proper. It extends from the Potomac to the North Carolina line, 
and in fact the same formation is continuous into the Carolinas. This district 
varies in width from 20 to 40 miles and in elevation, from five hundred to 
one thousand feet, having however a number of detached mountain chains of 
small extent. Its w-estern border is very sinuous, following the winding 
slopes of the main range of the Blue Ridge mountains. In this district the 
rivers are narrow and more rapid and are made up of many branches so as 
to nowhere present the appearance of considerable streams. The surface is 
much broken, presenting in the more northern portions, gently undulating 
uplands, becoming marked -with cross ridges of detached mountains, as we 
approach the central portion of the state. The northern portion is character- 
ized by limestone outcrops and assumes something of the character of a blue 
grass country; but this shades off into the red clays of central and southern 
Piedmont, wdiicli are the pedominant soils characteristic of this division. 
However, the soil varies infinitely, from limestone soil to red clay formed 
from shales impregnated with iron and the darker granitic soils formed from 
feldspar, hornblende, etc. to thin sandy soils in which flint and quartz 
rocks predominate. Wherever the richer granitic elements combine with 
the red clay formations, in sufficient quantity, a rich loam of black, brown or 
chocolate color is formed. The red clays furnish a soil of very fair character 
as to fertility and of great retentive power, but' very stiff and requiring 
careful handling to keep in first class condition. The sandy flint and quartz 
formations need not be considered in a discussion of apple growing. 
The Piedmont section of our state has come into considerable prominence 
during the past decade because of the profitable exportation of certain apples, 
and this has led to an immense development in orchard planting. How 
wisely much of this planting has been directed, the future only can tell, but 
to one who has wmtehed our past successes and failures the prospect has 
a dark side, and as an exponent of sound teaching on pomology this Society 
ought to consider and promulgate correct information. 
What specific facts then as regards soil, exposure, drainage, etc., are essen- 
tial to an understanding of apple culture in this section of Virginia? 
First, all of the lands in this section wffiich are naturally fertile enough will 
produce good red apples, but the certainty of crop is markedly affected by 
situation. Given the proper soil, exposure and altitude are still prime factors. 
If the planter selects low lands along the streams in foggy situations, he 
is not only placing the orchard where it will be especially subject to late 
spring frosts, but to fungous attacks as well. 
In the northern portion of this section of Virginia the climate is inclined 
to be dry during the summer months, thus rendering the land droughty and 
not calculated in every case to support a strong growth of apple trees; but on 
the richer and deeper soils vffiere the rock does not approach the surface too 
closely in stratified layers, apple trees can be grow r n with certainty. The 
vicissitudes of climate are not more trying than in many other parts of the 
state. The counties of Loudoun and Fauquier comprise the principal portion 
of limestone soil east of the Blue Ridge and offer opportunities in the best 
