The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-04-14
Which is the Best?

Here is question asked by our cor
respondents hundreds of times every
year, to which we can seldom give di-
rect and explicit answer, for the reason
that values vary according to circum-
stances, SO that what is best under one
condition may be almost worthless I'M
der another. Gold commands a much
higher price per pound in the markets
Of the world than iron, but no one will
question the superiority and value of
the latter for the various purposes to
which it is applied. We are often asked
which is the best variety of apple, pear,
or other kind of fruit, or which are the
best dozen sorts. If we are informed
as to the locality where it is proposed
to plant the trees, the nature of the soil
and the purpose for which the fruit is
to be raised, we can usually make a
close guess in giving an answer, be-
cause the country has been pretty well
studied by our leading pomologists and
nurserymen, and the results of their in
vestigations and experience have been
freshly given to the public in works
open to all who may desire to consult
them.
However valuable fruit may be in
one locality there are always others
where it will not thrive; consequently
it is worthless for cultivation. AS a
rule, Southern fruits do not succeed in
cold climates, neither do those origi-
mating in the North succeed in the
South; but there are sometimes excep-
tons to this rule, and we find certain
varieties thriving far away from their
native country, and in quite a different
climate. For instance, the peach in
some of its varieties thrives from Maine
to Florida, but the same sorts do not
usually thrive equally well in both ex-
tremes of latitude; and this is just where
the experience of pomologists comes in
to enable the novice to avoid failure.
1t is also possible to make choice of
varieties in locality where hundreds
or thousands may be grown successful
ly. The cultivator may desire to have
varieties ripen at certain season, or to
supply certain demand in his home or
some distant market. Then again.
persons have different tastes. Some
like sweet fruits, others acid; some are
satisfied with fox grapes or scupper-
nongs, while others desire something
far better. There is also much differ
ence in the adaptation of varieties to
soils; some succeed best on heavy,
others on the light and dry soils-all of
which should be taken into considera-
ton Dy persons intending to make Sc
lection of fruit trees and fruit-bearing
plants. We think a man would be very
foolish to set out Siberian or Russian
crab apple trees where the larger and
more valuable sorts win flourish, unless
he may desire few trees for ornament.
or little of such fruit for cooking and
making crab apple cider. But there are
localities in our more northern States
where these Siberian and Russian apples
are of great value, simply because they
succeed and the largest and more tender
sorts do not. The farmer should al
ways seek for the fruits best adapted to
his soil and climate; further than this
he should not attempt to go, unless he
is willing to pay good price for his ex-
perience.
What is true with regard to fruits is
also true with animals, for there is real
ly no best breed for everybody and un-
der all conditions. The Texas Steer and
the highly bred Shorthorn could not
well exchange places without loss on
both sides. The feet-footed Texas cat
tie are much better adapted for ranging
over wide area in search of food than
the short-legged, heavy-bodied Short
horn. The best breed and form of ami
NAL is the one best adapted to the con-
dition under which it is raised Agri-
culture in America is variable pursuit
and to be successful, the farmer must
adapt himself to circumstances andraise
crops with which he can pro-
duce the best and most profitable re-
suits. In one locality, breeds of COWS
giving the greatest quantity of milk of
a moderate degree of richness are the
most profitable, while in others beef is
more profitable than milk, butter or
cheese; consequently animals that will
put on fat rapidly and with the least
amount of food are the best and most
desirable. The milkman wants large
yield, even if it is not especially rich,
while those who make g gilt-edgen but
ter that will fetch seventy-tive cents or
dollar pound in market or from
special customers, can afford to keep
COWS which give but a small quantity
of very rich milk.
All through the entire range of agri-
culture the principles of adaptation of
plants and animals to conditions or cir
cumstances must be observed or the
farmer will meet with slight success. If
he can obtain high prices through con-
venience to good markets, he can afford
to keep the best breeds of cows for CIV
ing the largest quantity of the richest
milk, and feed expensive and rich food
to them; and SO also with those kept for
beef But farmers situated differently
may pay less attention to special breeds |
for special purposes. No one can tell
which is best, except through expert
ence or full knowledge of circum-
stances, surroundings and conditions.
Weare often asked: s. Which is the best
State or Territory for poor farmer to
60 in order to make a good living?''
But this is almost as difficult question
to answer as those in regard to the best |