ON THE NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT 



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, oth- 

 ers too warm, or too damp and with too frequent 

 rains for certain fruits. It is the mission of the 

 plant-breeder to develop varieties that will with- 

 stand these conditions. 



What greater good can be accomplished than 

 making exquisite fruits that will grow abundantly 

 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 usually necessary to bear in mind not 

 alone edible quality of fruit, but the constitution 

 of the plant itself. 



Hardiness is often a sine qua non, particularly 

 with fruits intended for the new regions of the 

 Northwest, where the winters are extremely cold. 



Then nearly all kinds of fruits are subject to 

 fungous diseases of some sort. These must be 

 combated by developing hardy, resistant varie- 

 ties. Some advancement has already been made 

 in this direction; but much remains to be done. 

 The careful plant-breeder will watch intently his 

 stock and promptly discard all susceptible plants. 



[275] 



