j<^ CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



toward increased production of varieties of most serviceable types 

 of the different fruits and the most productive trees of such types, 

 by propagating only from the best trees, which were determined 

 and designated for that purpose. 



It should therefore be noted by the reader that the preference 

 for certain varieties, which is embodied in this statement, which 

 will close this chapter, does not involve pomological standards as a 

 leading factor. The claim is distinctly not made that these varieties 

 are chosen exclusively on the basis of quality, beauty, hardiness or 

 health. In the case of nearly all the fruits, there are other varieties 

 which might equal or even surpass them in one or more of these 

 respects. The choice is made because they are most profitable to 

 grow ; not alone because they are good, but because they are good 

 for something. This particular suitability or serviceability may 

 involve pomological considerations and commercial and manufac- 

 turing considerations as well. The planter must use these lists in 

 connection with what he may find about the varieties in subsequent 

 chapters, without neglecting to confer with older growers, in the 

 district in which he may plan to plant, as to what varieties produce 

 best and are in best demand in the business of his district. 



Perhaps an intelligent use of the statement can be concretely 

 suggested by briefly discussing the first group of varieties men- 

 tioned the apples most approved in California. First comes the 

 yellow Newtown Pippin, and that means that most apples commer- 

 cially grown are winter apples and this variety is, on the whole, the 

 most profitable of them. But a planter in a hot interior valley 

 should usually reject them, for all winter apples are apt to be un- 

 satisfactory, and, if he plants apples at all, should choose early 

 varieties, because they ripen early, thus escaping the highest heat 

 and at the same time being ready for the early market. Similar 

 comments might be made upon the varieties of other fruits. 



During the year 1921 the writer made a careful review of the 

 experience of growers and propagators to determine which fruit 

 varieties were considered most satisfactory in commercial planta- 

 tions in California, using as a basis of revision the decisions reached 

 at several conferences of fruit growers, nurserymen, and managers 

 of fruit canneries, drying establishments and those engaged in 

 long-distance shipment of fresh fruits. In the chapters devoted to 

 different fruits the decisions of the conferences will be given in 

 more detail. 



The varieties grouped below are not arranged according to ripen- 

 ing season. Such data will be given in following chapters : 



Apples. Newtown Pippin, Bellflower, E. Spitzenburg, W. W. 

 Pearmain, Gravenstein, Red Astracan, W. Astracan, Carolina Red 

 June, Skinner, R. I. Greening, Alexander, Rome Beauty, Jonathan, 

 Winesap, Stayman, Winter Banana, Grimes, Delicious, King David, 

 Arkansas Black, Baldwin. 



Apricots. Royal, Blenheim, Tilton, Hemskirk, Peach, Newcas- 

 tle, Moorpark. 



