FRUIT ADAPTED FOR ORCHARDHOUSE WORK 



CHAPTER XXIV 



VARIETIES OF FRUIT ADAPTED FOR ORCHARDHOUSE WORK 



THE variety of fruit that may be grown in the orciiardhouse and the long 

 lists to select from must seem bewildering to any not in close touch 

 with the work. A proper selection is very important. Nothing but the 

 very best should be used for the purpose. It costs no more to produce the 

 choicest kinds than the ordinary varieties. A man working among fruit, who 

 is a keen observer of plant life, will notice more and more as he progresses the 

 many peculiarities of plants. The strangest thing about this fascinating work 

 to me is, that the more deeply we go into it, the more our own weak points are 

 brought home to us. Gardening is one of the oldest professions in existence, 

 and no matter how proficient one may be there is always much more to learn 

 about it. To an outsider it may seem strange that one can follow a certain 

 line year after year, and after spending a lifetime in the work, be compelled 

 to say that there are details which have not yet been thoroughly mastered 

 or fully understood. When we notice any improvements we feel as if the road 

 ahead was clear, but when reverses come an unfathomable mystery seems to 

 hang over our work. Seasons vary. We rarely get two in succession that 

 are alike. It is true that we have a glass roof over our trees; but we cannot 

 always give them the exact climatic conditions that they want. If there is a 

 deficiency of sun when a certain lot of fruit is ripening, they are sure to suffer 

 for the lack of it. This is more apparent in a house of Grapes when they are 

 starting to color than in orchardhouse fruit. 



It is the same with fruit grown in the field or garden. It is much finer 

 in color and size and, above all, in flavor, in some seasons than in others. I do 

 not mean to imply that fruit grown under glass will vary to the same extent 

 as fruit left for Nature to take care of. Nevertheless, the proper outside climatic 

 conditions contribute to our successes, while inclemencies bring failure. I 

 dwell on this point, for the grower is often criticised because his fruit is a bit off 

 flavor, or less perfect in some way than that oif the previous year, although 

 he may have given it the best attention, according to his skill and judgment. 

 But he should not become discouraged if a crop falls short once in a while. There 

 is this to be said in favor of the orchardhouse method of producing fruit, that a 

 good crop every year is assured. 



In my list of the fruit best adapted to the orchardhouse work, I shall select 

 only the choicest varieties, adding a few words as to the most reliable kinds. 



