Choosing the Varieties. 225 



successful fruit-growing, the obtainment of a spe- 

 cific ideal. In the greater number of eases it is easy 

 to answer questions .as to what varieties to plant 

 by asking the questioner what he wants to plant. 

 He will commonly answer his own question fully. 

 The intelligent question about varieties is that which 

 asks for specific information ; as, for example : 

 What is the best red fall apple for southern Ohio ? 

 What is the earliest raspberry ? What is the hardi- 

 est apricot? What is the largest plum? What is 

 the best strawberry for canning ? Such questions 

 as these indicate that the questioner has classified 

 his own ideas, and that he is driving straight to 

 the point for information ; and they are usually 

 capable of rather definite answer. When a man 

 asks, "What variety of fruit shall I plant?" no one 

 should attempt to answer. The writer has long 

 since come to the practice of refusing to recom- 

 mend specific varieties to individual persons. He 

 prefers to name those varieties which he thinks 

 might please himself for the purpose or place 

 named, or to give lists of the kinds most likely to 

 meet the requirements ; but the grower must choose 

 for himself. 



There are a few general rules or precepts which 

 may be stated to aid the intending fruit -planter in 

 the choice of varieties:* 



1. So far as possible, follow your own personal 

 preferences, the type of fruits which you love best 



*The whole question of the running out of varieties is discussed in Th 

 Survival of the Unlike." 



