The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-05

In discussion of this subject it is taken
for granted mat cultivation is thoroughly
understood and practiced, for there are
few varieties which may be profta5ly
grown without attention in this respect
says c. ". Benson of the Eexas Expert
ment Station.
We have found that selection of varie-
lies and fertilization are of more import
ance than all else and each will be treated
in a separate paper.
Until the wear 1895. most of our output
was of the Michel Early variety with
only a very few acres in Hoffman, Neu-
nan and cloud Seeding. The Michel pro-
duces a paying quantity of fruit a Alvin,
and until better varieties were planted
our growers were content with 1t. 1t Is,
however. q poor shipping berry, compared
with many others, and unless fresh pick
ed on a bright day, is not attractive in
appearance: but ii should be said that
Michel is one of the best varieties in cul-
tivati0n for home use, or for local mar
ket, when not in competition with others,
and it is, perhaps, more extensively grown
in the United States than any other sort
at this writing.
Hoffman continues as standard mar
ket berry, and the average selling price
per crate, through the season, has always
been higher than any other sort grown
here. The plant is not productive enough
for best results, but it cannot be replaced
until we have an equally early berry that
is at the same time an equally good ship
ping sort.
Neunan is the best favored berry grown
in the coast country at present. 1t ships
almost as well as Hoffman, but is later
and not much more productive.
Cloud Seeding has been on the grounds
of some of our most successful growers
for years, and is still in favor with them.
1t ships as well as Neunan, and is more
productive.
Since 1895 we have been alive to the i'm
portance of testing new and untried varie-
ties, and among thirty tests have found
three very promising commercial sorts
the Lady Thompson. Excelsior ard
BrandyWine. Thompson will produce
twice as much fruit as Neunan. 1t has
been widely planted this fall After three
years test, we find it produces twice as
much fruit as Neunan and sells as well
We hope to improve the color in the
Thompson fruit with sulphate of potash
sulphate of iron, or both. and If success
full it will be hard to beat.
The Excelsior is new introduction
which is being tested by dozens of grow
ers this year and we are in hopes that it
will replace Hoffman. 1t is said to be two
or three times as productive as Hoffman,
is earlier, better shape and favor, little
darker in color, and equally firm for ship
ping Judging from the few quarts we have
picked this fall.
Brandywine gives the largest berry We
have ever grown, thirteen to twenty-five
fruits filling a quart cup. IT ships well
and sells well but has not yet proved re-
liable enough for large paintings, a.
though tested here for two years.
My argument in this paper is, that va
rieties are all-important, and as We have
found three very promising sort out of
thirty already tested, it should follow that
about one in ten Of the better known va
rieties might be of some special value at
any point where trial is made and ell
commercial growers should follow this
plan. New varieties under test require
frequent inspection, and apparently unde-
sirable sorts should notAbe discarded I'M
iii after the second fruiting season, as
they cannot be accurately judged, some
times. until acclimatized.
1t is a pretty safe rule to buy new, high
priced varieties which are sometimes cat
a1oa1led at two to five dollars per dozen,
for If any new varieties has exceptional
value il is sure 10 become well known
within a year or two, and then they may
usually be purchased of the originator or
tntroducer for three or four dollars per
thousands.