The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-07-16
GOOD ENOUGH TO KEEP.
Varieties Of Plants that Are Too valuable
to Be Displaced.

Varieties of Plants that Are Too Valuable
to Be Displaced.
In the main there is steady progress
in the development of new varieties OF
domesticated plants. Each generation
of men sees plants that mature quicker,
are more productive and more valuable
than any that were previously known.
Especially is this true of the plants that
produce fruits. 1t sometimes happens,
however. that variety is produced so
much superior to all others that it gives
the impression that it was created In
advance of its time. 1t takes its place
among plants as the old philosophers
and sages took theirs among men.
When such varieties appear they should
be propagated as fast as possible. and
distributed everywhere that the soil
and climate are favorable to their
growth. They should not be discarded
because seedsmen and nurserymen ad-
vertise Few varieties and contribute
articles to the papers in praise OF them.
If a variety of fruit, grain, or root IS
adapted to the soil and climate where
it is wanted. is hardy and productive,
and of good quality, it should be re-
tanned till the merits of some new
variety are fully established. An ex-
ception NAV be made in the case of
potatoes, all varieties of which COM
mence to deteriorate after they have
been cultivated few years. 1t is
necessary to obtain new varieties by
planting seed obtained from the boil in
order to insure large crops of sound
potatoes.
Among the many varieties of straw
berries tnat have been introduced dur
ing the past thirty years there is none
that can claim more points of excellence
than Wilson's Albany. The plants are
large and strong and abound in foliage.
They are very productive, and produce
their largest crop the year after they
are planted. The berries are large. OF
fine form and of attractive color. The
flesh is very firm, which causes them to
bear transportation over long distances
well. As market berries they are I'M
surpassed. They can be carried a
thousand miles without material injury.
L
ness under circumstances that will
crush others and cause them to become
stale. They are excellent for canning
purposes. The berries are more acid
than those of many varieties, but with
the present low price of sugar this is no
great objection. The introduction of
this variety caused strawberry growing
to become popular in every part of the
country. 1t is the standard of cOmpari-
son for all the varieties of Strawberries.
Charles Lamb is credited with saying
that ''God might have made better
fruit than the strawberry. but He never
variety than the Wilson, but it is doubt
full if he ever does. The Wilson straw
berry is good enough to keep, and to
keep in its purity.
Many think that the grape was the
first fruit that was cultivated. 1t is with
little doubt the one from which the most
profit is derived. Raising grapes and
manufacturing them into wine and
raisins constitute the leading industry
in several populOus and prosperous
countries. A complete catalogue of the
varieties of cultivated grapes will con-
tain more than a thousand names.
Some will ripen only in quite warm
countries. and others are so sensitive to
cold that it is necessary to raise the
vines under glass. Some are adapted
to making certain kinds of wine. few
produce excellent raisins, and a larger
number are desirable for eating as they
are taken from the vine. The varieties
of grapes that do fairly well. with or
without protection, in this latitude, are
quite numerous. But for general cul-
ture in gardens and on farms the Con-
cord is worth more than all the others.
1t requires less cultivation, needs less
protection, and produces larger crops.
1t would be the delight of epicures if it
was not so plenty and cheap. Many
people estimate the eating value of diff
ferent kinds of food by the price they
pay for them. As Concord grapes are
generally very cheap they regard them
as inferior. In relish they are among
the most delicious grapes that are pro-
duced in any country, though they are
as cheaply raised as potatoes. The Con-
cord grape is good enough to keep.
During many years attempts have
been made to find better grass than
timothy. Every portion of the earth has
been searched to find variety of grass
that possessed mO-e points of excellence.
Grasses We're discovered that starte d
earlier in the spring, continued to grow
longer in the fall, which contained a
larger proportion of foliage. which re-
mained in the soil longer without
reseeding. which endured protracted
droushts better, or had more tender
stalks. Some of them or mixture of
them was found to be better for grazing
purposes, but none of them has proved
to be the equal of timothy for the pro-
ddctiOn of hay, whether designed for
market or for feeding stock kept on the
farm. All horsemen desire timothy hay,
and can not be persuaded that hay
made from any other kind of grass is
equal to It. 1t has established reputa-
ton in the horse stable which it is likely
to keep. The grass is easy to cut with
hand-scythe or machine, is easy to
cure. or convenient to put in the form
of bales. 1t is not likely to mold in the
stack or NOW. 1t has excellent keeping
qualities. The seed is generally plenty
and cheap, and good ''catch" can
ordinarily be obtained by sowing in
with the leading grains. The best crop
is produced the season after the
seed is sown Other grasses may be
better for a few special purposes, but
for moving field there is nothing bet
ter than timothy. 1t is grass good
enough to keep