The Republican journal., 1913-03-06
Selection of an Orchard Site.
rR F. Croker. in Practical Husbandry Of
Maine.l


In selecting an orchard site there are
many factors which have to be consider
ed. The Importance OF these various
factors is great and may easily deter
, mine the difference between success and
failure.
Perhaps the first factor which should
be considered is that of nearness to mar
ket. 1t is true that many varieties cam
not be grown to perfection in the imme-
diate vicinity of the largest markets. 1t
is also true that the price OF land may
be so high that the profits would be
eaten up before the crop was harvested.
In spite of these last named difficulties,
great care should be exercised in select
ing a site which is located on lines of
transportation which are adequate to
the handling of large quantities of pro-
duce quickly If an orchard is located
in an out Of the way place, the expense
of handling and hauling may be so great
as to materially lessen or take off the
whole profit. Besides losses due to ex-
pense in hauling, the loss in quality of
the product may easily be so great as to
make the profits of the crop negative
quantity.
As was previously mentioned, the value
of property will exert governing in
| fluence. A careful estimate of the in
tensity of the practice should be made
This last factor alone will determine the
price to be paid for land. If the prac-
tice is to be highly intensive and the
land worked for every cent that can be
take from it, much higher price can
be paid than where the work is done in
shiftless and hap-hazard manner.
Following the value of property is the
question of varieties to be grown. In
selection of varieties, man should take
into consideration the fruit that will
bring the best profit at the present time
and use lis best judgment in respect to
changes resulting from fluctuations in
market conditions.
Directly connected with the selection
of varieties is that of local conditions.
| Local conditions will embrace local mar
ket and climatic conditions. The first
named factor will be of little import
ance to an enterprising grower, because
it is not likely that he will depend upon
local markets for the disposal of his
crop. Local climatic conditions, how
ever, exert great influence on va
/ iiSbitS. L VI Shaillp4Sy thG DdiQWItl lS
grown to greater degree of perfection
in the State of Maine than in any other
10 ality. Similar conditions are true
with other varieties, and it is absolutely
essential. if the greatest success is to be
realized, TO select those varieties which
do best under the various conditions of
temperature, moisture, etc.
As important as the previously named
factors seem to be, there are others,
which are just as important and mis-
take in any one can easily spell failure.
The question of slope follows along
directly and the Importance can be easily
seen if few orchards in the State are
investigated. Large bodies of water
exert a moderating effect on tempera-
lure, and orchards located on slopes in
close proximity to such bodies are great
ly benefited In the spring of the year
the time of blossoming is often held
back by the cooling influence of such
bodies until the dangerous frosts are
over. On the other hand, early frosts
are often delayed in the fall until the
fruit is fully mature. In some seasons
this factor is of great Importance, and
may easily save a complete loss Of the
crop. The degree and uniformity of the
slope affect cultural operations mostly,
but sag holes often form very un-
healthy condition. The more gradual
and uniform the slope the easier it will
be to pursue the various orchard opera
tons.
Now that the slope is decided upon,
the question of soil arises. This is a
question which is universally asked by
inexperienced growers and is of vital
Importance. The depth of the soil should
no Suftiriapt tn oiuo ,1o of
room for its roots before they strike
hard pan. In most cases depth rang
ing between one and a half and two feet
will be sufficient. Lying directly under
the soil is the sub-soil. Preferably the
su5-soil or hard pan should be of a fairly
light nature, so that the roots can pene-
| trate it and also allow ready percoation
Of water In texture the soil should be
light, forceable and easily worked. Such
soil Is easily kept in good condition
and the health of the plant is greatly in
creased. There is one exception to this
rule, however, and this is soil for pear
trees. A pear tree requires heavy clay
soil, but extra care in drainage and cult
walton must be observed if good results
are to be obtained. In chemical com
position, nearly any soil is all right for
orchard planting Fruit trees are not
relatively heavy feeders. and if other
conditions are suitable that of chemical
composition can be made up in fertili-
zers.
Directly connected with the soil and
It's physical condition is drainage. In
drainage, the two factors OF water and
air drainage are of equal Importance.
1t water drainage is not naturally ade-
4uate, some efficient system should be
introduced. The question of air drain
age is one which is usually overlooked,
but it is of just as much Importance as
water drainage A uniform slope will
give a good circulation of air and this
is all that is necessary. Low. fiat places
are always cold ard damp. These condi-
lions are very unhealthy and should al.
ways be avoided.
Tie question of air drainage leads d.
rectly to that of exposure. Exposure
refers to the position of the site with
respect to high and storm winds. This
factor should receive due considera ton
at the hands Of the grower These ad-
verse conditions can be remedied to a
certain extent by wind breaks and the
various methods Of setting the trees.
The influence which these various fac
tors exert can be readily seen after at.
tenticn is drawn to them and the effects
are just as obvious.