SEED FRUIT GROWING IN THE RED RIVER VALLEY. 269 



perfectly hardy, but they will be benefited by such protection and 

 make a better growth the following year. 



As soon as the frost is out of the ground the following spring, 

 or about the middle of April, carefully uncover the plants and com- 

 mence cultivation at once. 



Did any of you ever think of the latent possibilities of the seeds 

 from a beautiful, high colored, fine quality apple. Each seed 

 represents an embryo fruit tree, no two of which will produce trees 

 bearing fruit exactly alike, and it is possible for any one of 

 you to plant and by giving the proper environment, cultivation and 

 care, to change the growth of tree, quality and quantity of fruit. 



In selecting seeds of fruits for planting in this portion of the 

 state, use none but the hardiest kinds and, if possible, of home 

 growth or from like latitudes. In Bailey's "Evolution of Our Native 

 Fruits," page 457, I find the following: "There must be a best va- 

 riety for every particular use and locality and soil. If a given va- 

 riety does not satisfy the ideal of the experimenter, that fact is no 

 proof that it may not be a positive acquisition in some other place 

 or for some other purpose. We shall always need to test varieties 

 to be sure, and the testing must be more exact and personal the 

 more critical we become in our demands. It is out of the many 

 new varieties that we shall find the particular ones which we 

 desire. 



"The first attempt, in impressing new species into cultivation, 

 should be to secure a type which will thrive in a given region. 

 The first consideration in breeding apples 'or plums for the dry 

 plains region, for example, is to secure a type which will endure 

 the climate, the long droughts, the severe winters, the hot summers. 

 This fundamental desideratum may be expected to be found in the 

 indigenous plums rather than in the domesticated types." 



With the apple it is quite different, as there are no natural 

 species which are indigenous to this part of our state. Those best 

 qualified to judge believe we already have varieties that will suc- 

 ceed here, if not, that we shall, by saving seed from the hardiest 

 known kinds, produce those adapted to all the climatic conditions 

 of this region. 



In closing these rambling and disjointed thoughts I would leave 

 with you this message. Begin your home upon the prairie by plant- 

 ing windbreaks to create environment and being careful to plant 

 them far enough from your house and farm buildings to leave ample 

 space for orchard, vegetable and fiower garden. And remember, 

 this garden should always be enclosed with a stout, substantial 

 fence to properly protect it from damage by all kinds of stock and 

 poultry. 



