52 SUCCESSFUL FKUIT CULTURE 



of soil, exposure or conditions of growth. In every State 

 of the Union the horticulturists of the experiment sta- 

 tions are making tests of varieties and each can advise as 

 to the probable value of any variety within his own State 

 and is ready to assist any and all to the extent of his 

 ability in all of the different problems that often beset 

 the experienced as well as the inexperienced. 



It is the experience of almost every orchardist that 

 too many varieties are planted. In different localities 

 different varieties are popular, are known to the consum- 

 ers, and only those will sell until they become familiar 

 with new or better varieties, yet any of the many good 

 kinds, if of good size and color, are sure to sell well after 

 one or two seasons in the market, and the better the 

 quality the more popular will they become. For thi> 

 reason it will be safe to plant any of the standard] 

 sorts that grow well in a given locality and produce 

 large and fair, well colored fruit. 



New Varieties — Few, if any, of the varieties in 

 general cultivation may be called perfect, and it is the 

 part of wisdom for each grower to test, on a limited 

 scale, some of the more promising new kinds or those 

 that have become prominent in other sections or other 

 markets, to determine if some other variety than those 

 already grown may not be more profitable. Each kind, 

 however, is found to succeed better in one locality, or 

 perhaps upon one kind of soil, than another, or may be 

 more profitable from its being well known in certain 

 markets, and one must go slowly and grow the main 

 crop of the ^'old reliables" until the merits of any new 

 varieties are positively known. 



CLASSIFICATION OF VARIETIES 



For convenience of description and determination 

 of varieties perhaps the best classification is that adopted 

 by the late J. J. Thomas, in his book entitled American 



