The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-13

Philadelphia Record.
The seedsmen and nurserymen are an
nually introducing to notice new varieties of
fruits and vegetables, but such work should
not be left entirely in their hands, as it is
the duty of farmers, gardeners and fruit
growers to experiment in such matters in
order TO increase the hardness and yield of
all plants that are cultivated for profit. Per-
haps the reason why the introduction of new
varieties is not interesting to farmers is
because they consider the matter as some
thing difficult, which, no doubt, is true, but
it is as easy to them as il Is to seedsmen. Ii
we consider wheat, for Instance, the work of
improvement consists of nothing more than
the selection of the plumpest grains from the
largest heads and best stalks, which plan, ii
continued for a few years. results in a va
riety better adapted to the locality in which
it is grown, and which will yield more and
produce better quality of grain. Vegetables
of all kinds may not only be improved by
this method Selecting the best) but even the
growth shape and other characteristic may
be changed.
The greater number of our varieties of
fruit comes from seedlings. The apple is
one of the best and hardest fruits we have,
the numerous varieties all coming from one
source-the crab-apple-and though each
variety is distinct in habit of growth shape
size and period OF ripening, yet il we plant
the seeds of the best of them we may not
get anNLnlnE r0ScnlDllnS lDaL from WHICH
the seed was taken. The young trees may
all produce crab-apples, or there may be
among them something superior to anything
heretofore known. Often oyer 1000 trees
have been used in single experiment, and,
among vegetables, certain scotsman could
only find one good potatoe from 5000 plants;
but that particular kind amply rewarded him
for all the time and labor that had been
employed in the task of selection.
Farmers are not inclined to try eXDeri-
ments with fruit trees as time and patience
are required while nurserymen are particu-
lar to take advantage of all opportunities;
but farmers can at least, with vegetables,
select the most perfect seeds from the best
plants. So far as the small fruits are con-
cerned, they have better opportunities. for II
is not required to wait long time for results.
The awberry can be grown from seed, but
the majority of the best kinds are due to
chance seedlings, which, growing in some
unohserved locality. are accidentally diseoy-
cred TO be of superior quality, and receive
the proper care and attention necessary to
propagation. As a single strawberry will
produce large number of plants from seed,
there can be no possible limit to the improve
ment of that berry, the only requisit tie
being 10 trim off the seeds from the berry, dry
them on paper, or mix with sand, and SOW
in clean place. AS soon as the young plants
are large enough, set them out and make
careIul observation OF the CROWN anu pro
ductivenees of the vine, period of ripening,
size color, frmDess flavor and quality Of
the berries. Each plant may be different
from the others. All may be worthless but
one, and that one may cause revolution IN
strawberries.
As with strawberries so with raspberries,
blackberries, grapes, or even huckleberries.
There is a wide field open for the introduc
ton of new blackberry equal to the Wilson,
for ii is fast deterOrating. and a fortune
awaits the one who can improve on it, while
a grape equal to the Concord, and one that
will not rot, is sure to find favor. All plants
that reproduce themselves from the roots, or
by cutting or tipping, send forth plants that
fruit precisely the same as the parents, but
when produced from seed no reliability can
be placed on the result, as the seed either re-
verts to the original stock or becomes the
foundation OF superior variety.