THE MOST POPULAR FRUITS 



221 



It will be noted by the reader that the preference for certain 

 varieties, which is embodied in this statement, does not involve porno- 

 logical standards as a leading factor. The claim is distinctly not 

 made that these varieties are chosen on the basis of quality, 

 beauty, hardiness or health. In the case of nearly all the fruits, there 

 are other varieties which might equal or even surpass them in 

 one or more of these respects. The choice is made because they 

 are most profitable to grow ; not alone because they are good, but 

 because they are good for something. This particular suitability 

 or serviceability may involve pomological considerations and com- 

 mercial and manufacturing considerations as well. The planter 

 must use these lists in connection with what he may find about the 

 varieties in subsequent chapters, without neglecting to confer also 

 with older growers in the district in which he may plan to plant. 



Perhaps an intelligent use of the statement can be concretely 

 suggested by briefly discussing the first group of varieties men- 

 tioned the apples most approved in California. First comes the 

 yellow Newtown Pippin, and that means that most apples commer- 

 cially grown are winter apples and this variety is, on the whole, 

 the most profitable of them. But a planter in a hot interior valley 

 should usually reject them for all winter apples are apt to be unsat- 

 isfactory, and, if he plants apples at all, should choose early vari- 

 eties like the Red and White Astracan, because they ripen early, 

 thus escaping the highest heat and at the same time being ready 

 for the early market. 



Similar comments might be made upon other varieties. Some 

 years ago the distribution of commercial fruit varieties was taken 

 into account in a biological way because it was taken to be certain 

 that the grower would select varieties which "did best" in his 

 district. Enough has been said to emphasize the fact that the lists 

 of fruits are not made of those who do best alone, but of those which 

 sell to best advantage, and that has no biological significance what- 

 ever. 



The varieties are arranged not according to ripening season but 

 in the order in which the greatest number of growers consider 

 them worth planting. 



Fruit varieties most popular in California : 



Apples. Newtown Pippin, Bellflower, W. W. Pearmain, Gra- 

 venstein, Red Astracan, R. I. Greening, E. Spitzenberg, W. Astra- 

 can, Red June. 



Apricots. Royal Blenheim, Moorpark, Hemskirk, Peach. New- 

 castle, Tilton. 



Cherries. Royal Ann, Black Tartarian, Black Republican, Rock- 

 port, Bing, Chapman, Purple Guigne, May Duke, Centennial, Black 

 Bigarreau, Lambert. 



