Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-02-01
Improvement OF Vere,ab,..,

But for the continued effort of enterpris-
ing seedsmen and horticulturists our vegeta-
bles would constantly deteriorate and revert
to the original varieties from which they
we're produced. Farmers and gardeners who
do not make a specially of Improvement can
form no estimate OF the time, patience, care
and labor required in the production of u
new variety nor of the numerous failures
that occur before the variety is deemed wor
thy of place among others.
The tomato, which nearly rivals the apple
IN smoothness and frmness, was almost de
splsed half century ago but the Trophies
Acmes, Projections and Paragons of 10. day
are esteemed as the most valuable of our gar
den vegetables. Mr., Livingston, who gave
us the Acme, Paragon and Perfection, began
his work OF improvement thirty years ago
and, after selecting seed from the choicest
for ten years, was little nearer the accom-
plishment of his purpose than when he be-
gan but he did not despair and made new
experiments finally dete rmining to select his
seed from the smallest but best formed aud
smoothest specimens. He was led to adopt
this plan by observing that the small speci
mems were uniformly of better quality than
the larger. Having gained quality he gradu-
ally Increased the size, and with one good
variety as a foundation he had less difficulty
80 - AANNAAb phAASAhs llb WAS compelled 10
grow his tomatoes at a distance from inferi
or kinds, for large number of failures arise
from overlooking this precaution in saving
seeds. The efforts of Mr.. Livingston ex
tended over period of thirty years, with no
patent to protect his improvements, and yet
the value Of his efforts to the farmers and
gardeners cannot be estimated. Had every
farmer been as determined as he in perfect
ing crops Of vegetables aud fruits, the value
of our agricultural productions at present
could not be computed
The value OF the wheat crop of this coun.
try has been increased millions of dollars by
the patient selection of few choice heads OF
wheat annually by Mr.. Fultz of Lancaster
county, Pa-not that the Fultz wheat is at
present more extensively cultivated than any
other, but it opened new era in wheat Sc.
lection and improvement and laid the foun
dation upon which our varieties of wheat
have been elevated to the highest standard of
excellence and proli6cness. In like manner
the careful selection of seed corn has made
possible the heavy yield of 100 bushels or
more per acre.
Gregory, with his close and constant atten
ton to the work of vegetable Improvement
gave us the Hubbard squash and Marblehead
cabbage, while Rogers, with his annual new
varieties OF grapes, and Goodrich, with his
experiments al potato improvement, have
been OF invaluable service to the country.
lawton, with so insignificant fruit as was
the blackberry at the time he began his ex
periments, opened a new field in fruit grow.
ing. Had it not been for patient and per.
sstent efforts, after many discouragements,
we would not to day possess the Bartlett pear,
Crawford peach, Concord grape, nor Sharp
less strawberry. The Acme, Paragon and
Trophy tomatoes would be unknown but for
careful selection, and we would have no E,rly
Rose, Peaehblow, Snowflake and Peerless
potatoes but for repeated aud persistent ex
periments.
Every farmer is in duty bound to perform
his share Of the work Of improvement II
each would strive TO make his crops superior