IMPROVING SMALL FRUITS 53 



Therefore not only the type but the individu- 

 ality of the plant must of course be considered, 

 adapting it to certain conditions. 



If the quality of hardness in fruit is required, 

 it may be attained through proper methods. In 

 regions where insect and fungous diseases thrive 

 it is necessary to evolve fruit trees which are re- 

 sistant to such pests; and there is no other way 

 of reaching a satisfactory conclusion regarding 

 their resistant powers than to grow them where 

 they are exposed to their foes. 



All of this cannot be accomplished in a brief 

 time. It requires the most persistent labor and 

 unyielding patience. 



Any recognized "fruit quality" can be intensi- 

 fied, almost any desired quality can be attained, 

 through intelligent observation, selection, and 

 patient waiting. But not without toil ; nor with- 

 out careful heed to such measures as will assure 

 the cooperation of nature. 



Says Emerson: "The ripe fruit is dropped at 

 last without violence, but the lightning fell and 

 the storm raged, and strata were deposited and 

 uptorn and bent back, and Chaos moved from 

 beneath, to create and flavor the fruit on your 

 table to-day." 



Let the plant developer ponder and heed that 

 saying, and realize that at best it is given him 



