474 journal oj AgriciiUiirc . Victoria. ^lo July, 191 i. 



conditions of the field. Many seeds that from various causes, such as un- 

 ripeness, age, and bad storing, are weak, will not, even under normal con- 

 ditions, survive long enough to establish themselves as satisfactory plants. 



Selection of Kind of Variety. 



From an economic standpoint, a proper selection of varieties has many 

 advantages. It prevents a congestion of operations and thus minimizes 

 waste. It admits of a more effective utilization of plant owing to the ex- 

 tension of sowing and harvesting operations, ^^'ith fodder crops, it prolongs 

 the feeding period, and with perishable products the marketing period. 

 The intelligent gardener utilizes the early or the late maturing qualities of 

 flowering or culinary plants to suit his various needs. Many varieties of 

 our garden plants show a special adaptability to certain seasons ; not only 

 this, they evince peculiarities in development in some districts that are little 

 marked or entirely absent in other districts. Experience in the cultivation 

 of any given species or variety of plant in a certain district, and a clcse 

 observation of their habits, are the surest way to a proper selection in this 

 respect ; but this is often tedious, expensive, and fraught with many dis- 

 appointments. New settlers or beginners ought to avail themselves of the 

 experience gained by others under conditions similar to those under which 

 they propose to work. This is often the means of saving both labour and 

 expense. Where it is not available, experimental work should be carried 

 out as much as possible. 



In some quarters conservatism and distrust are shown by growers to- 

 wards "new things."' Many of them still cling to the kinds and varieties 

 that served their fathers well, despite the insistent challenge of returns each 

 season. Doubtless many of the old kinds are good and should not be 

 inadvisedly abandoned, yet opportunity should be given to new varieties 

 to prove their merit. In many cases this opportunity is given in a meagre 

 and sceptical way. However, some warrant exists for the suspicion with 

 which growers regard new kinds that are sold with a lot of descriptive 

 matter. In many ca.ses they are varieties whose constitutional tendencies 

 are not properly established, or which flourish under one special set of 

 conditions, but when subjected to more extensive tests in different districts, 

 their special qualities soon peter out. The selection of kinds will be in- 

 fluenced to a considerable extent by : — 



1. The locality. 



2. The season. 



3. The prospective economy of such crops in relation to conditions. 



The selection of variety will chiefly depend on : — ■ 



1. The suitability to season. 



2. The maturing period (early, mid-season, or late). 



3. The ability of such variety to resist disease or other injurious agencies. 



Of course, the grower's object is to secure a variety that possesses those 

 qualities best suited to his needs and conditions. Many excellent varieties 

 of plants and trees lose their best characteristics when grown under unfavour- 

 able conditions, and are easily eclipsed by the less classical kinds, although 

 within a normal range of conditions the former are much superior. 



With most farm and garden crops, and also flowering plants, a number 

 of varieties are in general cultivation from which to make a selection. 

 These include early, mid-season, and late kinds ; also those best suited 

 to special seasons or conditions. With fruit trees, the period of maturation 

 or ripening of the fruit is well defined, and proper regard should be given 

 to the selection of varieties when starting new plantations. In the vege- 

 table garden, many beginners fail at the outset by assuming that any variety 



