44 
THE AMATEUR’S KITCHEN GARDEN. 
dish say of the old Fluke, and it may be so snow white, so 
handsome, so nice with brown gravy that you may resolve to 
grow the Fluke potato only. If you carry out that resolve, 
you will soon find it to be a mistake. If you selected the 
Regent for your sole resource, the mistake won id be none the 
less definite. But to those two excellent varieties you might 
add Ashleaf, Lapstone, Late Bose, and Magnum Bonum, and 
you would have a good selection certainly, though it might 
not be the best possible. In a season when potato disease 
prevails, the grower of one sort may have absolutely nothing 
to lift, while the grower of half a dozen or more sorts may 
have the good fortune to lift an unusually heavy crop, for the 
wet weather, that destroys some kinds of potatoes, may cause 
extra production of other kinds. The case is nearly the same 
in respect of peas, for although we do not know of a pea 
disease, we do know that a cold spring may destroy the earlier 
kinds, and really benefit the second earlies and main crops. 
But varieties are not only of relative merit inter se, they are 
of relative merit also as affected by peculiarities of soil and 
climate. Be not in haste to criticise the wisdom of the locality, 
but rather ascertain its purport and conform to it until you 
can see your way to a higher wisdom, for it is easier to learn 
than to unlearn, and the experiences of a clown are, generally 
speaking, tinctured with a finer spirit of truth than the 
guesses of the philosopher who fancies he can regulate the 
world by a priori considerations, although they may be based 
on truths that are, to his certain knowledge universal and 
eternal. As to the selection of mere novelties, you must use 
your own discretion. Nine-tenths of the best things in our 
gardens have been trade novelties, and more good things in 
the shape of novelties are to come yet. But while all your 
needs are fairly provided for in sorts well established, you may, 
if you prefer the cautious way, take time to consider in respect 
of novelties whether you will speculate or wait. It must be at 
your own discretion, for, in a general way, no one can advise. 
All that is said here in regard to selecting vegetables applies 
with equal force in the selection of fruits. Mere collections 
are rather to be avoided than sought by those who simply 
desire to be well supplied for everyday purposes. There are, 
and ever will be collectors, and the writer of this pleads guilty 
to the folly of collecting, having been engaged in the pastime 
upwards of a quarter of a century. But this book is not 
