50 
ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE 
on account of the sunshine and the prevention of cold 
winds. The soil does not determine the quality or the 
amount of fruit grown so much as the care given, but 
for general purposes a rich loam will produce the most 
fruit. Strawberries and grapes do well on light soils, 
apples and pears on clay loam, plums and cherries on 
medium loam, apricots and peaches on light sandy loam. 
Source of Orchard Stock. —Reliable nurseries, ex¬ 
perienced fruit growers in the community, and the farm- 
Fig. 33.—An orchard with a gentle slope. 
er’s own growing of fruit from seeds may provide a sup¬ 
ply of material for planting the orchard. The nearest 
nursery, whose product is true to variety, is perhaps the 
best source of fruit trees. The advantages of buying 
from a local nursery are that you may visit the nursery 
and see what is being produced; freight charges are 
saved; the trees are better adapted to your environment. 
Small fruits and vines which develop from “runners” 
may be secured from neighbors or produced at home. 
Selection of Varieties. —The varieties which have 
been tried in a community and have been found sue- 
