CHAPTER XV 

 VARIETIES 



THE question of choice of varieties is, fortunately, 

 quickly answered. When orchards were first being 

 planted, those kinds that were favorites in the eastern 

 homes were given preference. When it was found that 

 fruit could be grown at all, many of the early orchardists, 

 wishing to show what could be done, planted many 

 varieties. Thus it happened that the older orchards 

 often contained many varieties, most of which have not 

 proved to be well adapted to arid conditions. 



So long as there were local markets, the kind of fruit 

 mattered little. But when it became necessary to com- 

 pete in the markets of the world, conditions were changed. 

 Home markets were then out of the question except in 

 a limited way; and because of the great distance, car- 

 load lots were the units of shipment. Buyers could not 

 afford to pay freight on anything but the best, and in 

 order to be successful in the markets, they must have large 

 quantities of a certain kind. They want to know, for 

 instance, how many cars of fancy Jonathan a certain as- 

 sociation or dealer can furnish. Such information gives 

 a basis upon which a stable business may be conducted. 

 The buyers soon found that a few varieties were in 

 greatest demand, and naturally calls came to the growers 

 for an increasing supply. 



Thus it is that the consumers in distant states have 



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