Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-04-05


callty, or upon particular farms, it should be
olscaraed ana those varieties selected that do
we'll upon similar soil and situation.
Some varieties are found to do we'll in a
great variety of soils and situations, and un-
der widely diverse conditions and culture
lhe Wilson strawberry is one of the most
notable instances on record, and hence it's
universal cultivation. The Early Rose pota-
TO is another noteworthy example of vari-
ety that does we'll on great range of soils.
Yet the Wilson strawberry and the Early
Rose potato will be good, Indifferent, or bad
IN yield quality, according to the soil upon
which they are grown, and the conditions
under which they are cultivated. The same
is true of all agricultural products. Some
plants will not grow at all, except in partic-
ular soils and aspects. Hence tile wise farm
er, in changing his seed, has not only to
study the conditions necessary to the growth
of given variety, but also their adaptation
to his own soil. 1t may not be exactly suit
ed naturally to the growth Of the variety,
and yet that variety may he, all things con-
sidered, the best for him. So in the selec-
ton of seeds, varieties adapted to soil and
climate must be used and, to reach the best
results, the seed should have been grown on
soil calculated to produce the variety in its
best state. Once varieties are obtained that
under good cultivation hold their high char
acters even measureably, retain them until.
by careful experimentation or certain inform
alton, another is found which is better.
Last season potatoes as a rule were fail
ure East and West. Many farmers in the
West have even had to buy their potatoes
for household use and seed. 1t will be q
good time to procure good seed from those
sources where the crop has been raised in an
entirely healthy state thus again getting
start with perfectly healthy seed, containing
all the clements Of nutrition for the future
plant in the highest degree. The same rule
will apply to any other seed it may be neces-
sary to buy. The extra charge, if any, that
this will entail, will be money well invested.
If, however, your own seed be satisfactory,
do not change from an incorrect idea that
plants, rs a matter of course, run out from
number of years.
Indifferent cultivation causes a deteriora-
ton of plants to greater degree than all
other causes combined. If unsuited to the
soil, plants will deteriorate, and new seeds
should be obtained from localities where the
characteristics are retained. If you have
these already secured, hold fast to them in
preference to risking seed from some other
place. Experiment with all. and every va
riety you please. This is one test of the in
telligent and successful farmer but do not
throw away that which is good until you
get something better.
Facts arrived at from actual experiments
and observation will show that seeds and
plants may be improved from the original,
up to certain standard of average excel
lence, through clean careful cultivation, anu
the saving of the most perfect OF the seed
for succeeding paintings, provided the SOL
| and climate be adapted to the variety. Inns
average excellence, however, is not that
shown in the ordinary samples OF farm pro
ducts as exhibited in our chief markets.
Neither are the average fruits, displayed in
our market stalls; the average horses work
ed in our streets and on our farms, or even
those driven by our citizens; nor again the
average cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry, etc,
offered for sale in our markets. These are
not the average of the best cultivation ana
care. but it is the average excellence attain
| od hv our hest farmers. seedsmen, pomOlO-
/ oists florists and others who follow one or