THE HOME FRUIT GARDEN IN THE NORTH- 

 ERN GREAT PLAINS, NORTHERN MOUN- 

 TAIN, AND INTERMOUNTAIN STATES ' 



The National Nutrition Conference, held in Washington, D. C, 

 November 1941, urged Americans to eat more fruit. 



Well-ripened, sound fruits increase the healthfulness, variety, 

 attractiveness, and palatability of meals. Despite the relatively 

 large available supplies of fruit, many families, especially on farms, do 

 not have adequate quantities in the diet. In almost every part of this 

 country certain fruits that usually require little or no spraying can be 

 grown successfully in farm or suburban fruit gardens. Fruits needing 

 spraying are not so well suited for home production. By properly 

 selecting the kinds and varieties of fruit for home planting a succession 

 of fresh fruit of high dessert quality can be available during much of 

 the summer season, and surpluses may be canned, preserved, dried, or, 

 in some cases, frozen for use during other seasons. Such home con- 

 sumption of fruits, together with purchases of kinds that cannot be 

 grown successfully, should improve the diet and general health. 



This leaflet lists the best kinds and varieties of fruits for home plant- 

 ing in the region and gives brief directions for their care. Detailed 

 information can be obtained from the agricultural extension service 

 or agricultural college in each State. 



Climatic Districts for Fruit 



Summer and winter temperatures, rainfall, and prevalence of dis- 

 eases and insects are all important in determining the varieties that 

 can be grown in the different parts of the country. While many fruits 

 are not hardy in most of this region, some kinds can be grown in 

 almost every home garden. On the map (fig. 1) the region is divided 

 into districts based chiefly on the length of the growing season. In 

 general, the same fruit varieties can be grown throughout a district. 



Kinds and Varieties to Plant 



Under most conditions in this region the best fruits for the home 

 garden are, in order of adaptability where spraying is not practiced, 

 (1) cherry-plum hybrids, (2) plums, (3) currants, 2 (4) strawberries, 

 (5) gooseberries, 2 (6) crab apples, (7) grapes, and (8) raspberries. 

 Under the more favorable conditions of temperature and available 

 water for irrigation, cherries, pears, peaches, apricots, and apples may 

 be grown also. Certain native fruits, including buffaloberries, choke- 

 cherries, wild plums, Juneberries (serviceberries), American cranberry- 

 bush, and western sand cherries, may be of value in parts of this region. 



1 Prepared by the staff of the Division of Fruit and Vegetable Crops and Diseases, Bureau'of Plant Industry, 

 with the collaboration of horticulturists of the States in the region. The varieties suggested herein are 

 based on those recommended by these horticulturists. 



2 Plant only where quarantine regulations permit. 



2 Issued June 1942 



