IMPROVING SMALL FRUITS 45 



ditions here, and to fulfill all the requirements 

 demanded. At present probably one-half of the 

 fruits grown in California, with the exception 

 of the French prune, are varieties that have 

 originated, or at least have risen to commercial 

 importance, within the State ; and this statement 

 applies with almost equal force to the States of 

 Oregon and Washington. 



There is a great field of usefulness open to the 

 enterprising plant breeder in the adaptation of 

 fruits to different localities and climatic condi- 

 tions, thereby extending the belt in which certain 

 fruits can be raised. 



Some regions are too arid; some too cold, 

 others too warm, or too damp and with too fre- 

 quent rains for certain fruits. It is the mission 

 of the plant breeder to develop varieties that will 

 withstand these conditions. 



What greater good can be accomplished than 

 making exquisite fruits that will grow abun- 

 dantly in sections of the country where none 

 could be grown before? 



Climate, Disease, and Human Tastes 



In creating new varieties to meet local condi- 

 tions it is necessary to bear in mind not alone 

 edible quality of fruit, but the constitution of 

 the plant itself. 



