44 



even during the same season. "With the difficulties in de- 

 termining profits so apparent the striking of the balance 

 sheet at this time is left to others. It must be said, however,, 

 that barring accidents, the intelligent pursuit of Small-Fruit 

 culture by those mentally equipped and favorably located 

 should yield a handsome return on the investment. 

 WHAT TO PLANT 



We now come to our last topic, intentionally placed out 

 of its natural order because of its importance. Knowing 

 that climatic conditions are favorable and with the necessary 

 cultural knowledge at hand, what varieties shall be set? 

 Seemingly a simple question, its correct solution means the 

 difference between success and failure, for the best of 

 plants, set and cared for under ideal conditions may prove 

 absolutely worthless if the variety has not the inherent 

 qualities both in plant and fruit that make it adapted both 

 to its environment and to the purpose for which grown. 



Early, mid-season, late and even fall-bearing varieties 

 of all sorts of colors, shapes, sizes and flavors are available 

 or described in horticultural publications, catalogs and the 

 like. Shall many of these be grown or but few ; and how 

 are we to make intelligent selection from the long lists of 

 varieties? Each year sees a large number of new varieties 

 at the front, claimed to be superior to the old standbys. We 

 know that many varieties of much value in years past are no 

 longer grown and we know that some varieties most popular 

 today will be the castoffs of tomorrow. The multiplicity of 

 varieties is emphasized by the folloAvmg record of the num- 

 ber of kinds of Small-Fruits at the present time on the trial 

 grounds of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station 

 at Geneva; Strawberries 69; red raspberries 29; black rasp- 

 berries 23 ; purple raspberries 5 ; yellow raspberries 1 ; black- 

 berries 40; dewberries 8; currants 35; gooseberries 74. 



If plant and fruit habits were stable under all condi- 

 tions, the selection of varieties would be simple. But we 

 find that varieties that succeed admirably in one place may 

 be worthless elsewhere. Under different environments and 



