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Selection of Varieties 
There are several considerations which 
should determine the varieties of any 
particular species of fruit that should be 
grown. 
First. Selection in reference to soil 
adaptations. Certain varieties of fruits 
have become adapted to certain condi- 
tions. These conditions must be ob- 
served if the best results are to be 
reached. There are varieties better suited 
to sandy soils, others to clay, others to 
black loam, and a study of the nature 
and habits of the species, or variety of 
the species, before planting, may obviate 
much disappointment. 
Second. Selection of varielies in refer- 
ence to climate. The U. 8. Pomological 
Society divides the United States and 
Canada into districts and gives a table 
of fruits recommended for each district. 
These recommendations have been made 
with a good deal of care, and while they 
might be amended by the State Experi- 
ment Station, or by the experience of 
growers in any particular locality, they 
nevertheless have much merit, and it 
would hardly be considered prudent for 
the amateur fruit grower, to select his 
varieties, without consulting their tables. 
Third. Selection of varieties with ref- 
erence to altitude. There are places in 
the United States where 100 feet in al- 
titude will make as much difference in 
the temperature as 100 miles further 
north. 
Fourth. 
frost. 
There are three conditions that tend 
to protect from frost. The first is al- 
titude, or elevation above the surround- 
ing country. This does not mean, neces- 
sarily a high altitude; but it means that 
in relation to the lands around it, there 
are lower lands, toward which the cold 
air will gravitate. 
The second influence affecting frost 
conditions is evaporation from large 
bodies of water. A body of water radiates 
heat less rapidly than the earth’s surface. 
Therefore, in the autumn, the earth cools 
faster than the water. When the prevail- 
Selection with reference to 
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 
ing winds come from a large body of 
water as a sea, or lake, the atmosphere in 
the autumn is warmer from the water 
surface, thus preventing early autumn 
frosts. In the spring time, the earth ab- 
sorbs heat faster than the water surface, 
thus the breezes coming from the body of 
water are cooler, and the budding of fruit 
is delayed beyond the frost period. Ex- 
amples of this are seen on the Pacific 
coast, Michigan bordering on the lake, 
and other portions of country similarly 
situated. 
The third influence affecting frost is 
air drainage. 
To have good air drainage a tract 
should be so situated that there are no 
obstructions to the free passage of the 
cold air downward. A pocket will be 
frosty. Wherever the air tends to stag- 
nate there will be a tendency to frost. 
Locations in gaps, gorges or canyons 
opening out into valleys or broader spaces 
afford good drainage as there is usually 
a movement of air forced by the pres- 
sure from the higher lands and the broad 
opening permits a free escape. This cir- 
culation of air tends to prevent the frost 
from forming. 
Fifth. Location with reference to mar- 
kets. 
It makes a great deal of difference, in 
handling tender and perishable fruits, 
whether they are hauled or shipped long 
or short distances. A long haul, over the 
ordinary country roads, often bruises and 
injures the fruits, so that when they 
reach the local market, they are unsale- 
able. A long distance shipment takes 
time, and in that time, the fruits are 
more or less damaged. Besides the extra 
expense of a long shipment there are 
dangers of delays, wrecks and other 
losses, that often cause trouble. Other 
things being equal, it is much better to 
have an orchard near the markets. 
For the different varieties of bush 
fruits treated, see under their respective 
names: 
Blackberry, currant, gooseberry, huckle- 
berry, raspberry. 
GRANVILLE Lowtrrer 
