Fruit Varieties 185 



hankering for that crisp, juicy, uncloying flavor of 

 a good apple, which is not quite equaled by the taste 

 of any other fruit. 



And yet it is not the saving in expense, although 

 that is considerable, that makes the strongest argu- 

 ment for growing one's own fruit. There are three 

 other reasons, each of more importance. First is 

 quality. The commercial grower cannot afford to 

 grow the very finest fruit. Many of the best varie- 

 ties are not large enough yielders to be available 

 for his use, and he cannot, on a large scale, so prune 

 and care for his trees that the individual fruits re- 

 ceive the greatest possible amount of sunshine and 

 thinning out — the personal care that is required for 

 the very best quality. Second, there is the beauty 

 and the value that well kept fruit trees add to a 

 place, no matter how small it is. An apple tree in 

 full bloom is one of the most beautiful pictures that 

 Nature ever paints; and if, through any train of 

 circumstances, it ever becomes advisable to sell or 

 rent the home, its desirability is greatly enhanced 

 by the few trees necessary to furnish the loveliness 

 of showering blossoms in spring, welcome shade in 

 summer and an abundance of delicious fruits 

 through autumn and winter. Then there is the fun 

 of doing it — of planting and caring for a few young 

 trees, which will reward your labors, in a cumula- 

 tive way, for many years to come. 



