Soils

In general, the apple prefers a rather strong soil, neither

very heavy nor very light. Subsoil is rather more important than

surface soil, although the latter should be friable and easily worked.

The apple follows good timber successfully. Heavy clay soils are apt

to be too cold, compact, and wet; light sandy soils too loose and dry.

A medium clay loam or a gravelly clay loam, underlaid by a somewhat

heavier but fairly open clay subsoil is thought to be the best soil

for apples. Broadly considered, medium loams are best. The lighter the

soil the better will be the color of the fruit as a rule, and so,

also, the heavier the soil and the more nitrogen and moisture it holds

the greater the tendency to poorly colored fruit. In the same way

light soils give poorer wood and foliage growth as compared with the

large rank leaves and wood of trees on heavy, rich soils.



VARIETAL SOIL PREFERENCES are beginning to be recognized. We cannot go

into these in detail in this brief discussion. A few suggestions

regarding standard varieties must suffice. Medium to light loams or

heavy sandy loams, underlaid by slightly heavier loams or clay loams,

are preferred by the Baldwin, which has a wider soil adaptation than

practically any other variety. Baldwin soils should dry quickly after

a rain. Rhode Island Greening requires a rather rich, moist, but well

drained soil, containing an abundance of organic matter. A light to

heavy silty loam, underlaid by a silty clay loam, is considered best.



Northern Spy is very exacting in its soil requirements. A medium loam,

underlaid by a heavy loam or a light clay loam, is excellent. Heavy

soils give the Spy a greasy skin. Light soils cause the tree to grow

upright and to bear fruit of poor flavor. The King likes a soil

slightly lighter than the best Greening soils, but retentive of

moisture. Hubbardson will utilize the sandiest soil of any northern

variety, preferring rich, fine, sandy loams.



The particular location of the apple orchard is largely a matter of

convenience. It should be remembered, however, that the apple requires

much and constant attention, therefore the orchard should be

convenient of access. The product is rather bulky, so that the haul to

the highway should be as short as possible. Other conditions being

equally good there, the common location near the buildings and highway

is best.



THE SITE OF THE ORCHARD is a more important matter. Two essentials

should be kept in mind, good air drainage and a considerable

elevation. Although it is not so apparent and therefore less thought

about, cold air runs down hill the same as water. Being heavier, it

falls to the surface of the land, flowing out through the water

channels and settling in pockets and depressions. Warm air, being

lighter, rises. It is desirable to avoid conditions of stagnant air or

cold air pockets where frost and fogs are liable to occur. A free

movement of air, especially a draining away of cold air, is best

secured by an elevation. Fifty to one hundred feet, or sometimes less,

is usually sufficient, especially where there is good outlet below.

Frosts occur in still, clear air and these conditions occur most

frequently in the lower areas.



Aspect or slope requires less attention. Southern exposures are warm

and hasten bud development and opening in spring. Northern exposures

are cold and retard the blossoming period. It is usually advisable to

plant the apple on the colder slopes which hold it back in spring

until all danger of late frosts is past. Northeast exposures are best

as a general rule. Choose a slope away from the prevailing wind if

possible. If this is impracticable it is often advisable to plant a

wind break of pine, spruce, or a quick, thick growing native tree to

protect the orchard from heavy winds.



A large body of water is an important modifier of climate. Warming up

more slowly in the spring, it retards vegetation by slowly giving up

its cold. Vice versa, cooling more slowly in the fall giving up its

heat wards off the early frosts. It is therefore desirable to locate

near such bodies of water if possible. Their influence varies

according to their size and depth, and the distance of the orchard

from them. Good examples of this influence are the Chautauqua Grape

Belt on the eastern shore of Lake Erie and the Western New York Apple

Belt on the south shore of Lake Ontario.



Professor Brackett has well summed up the whole question: "The

selection of the soil and site for the apple orchard is not governed

by any arbitrary rule," he says. "All farms do not afford the best

soils or exposures for orchards. The owners of such as do not are

unfortunate, yet they should not feel discouraged to the extent of not

planting trees and caring for them afterward." There are a number of

factors which influence not only a person who wishes to locate, but

one already located, either favorably or unfavorably. About these even

the most intelligent orchardists often differ. We have only laid down

general principles and given opinions. Here as elsewhere application

is a matter of judgment.