The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1904-02-16

the Indigenous trees, bushes ahd
vines which are worthy OF the consid-
erauon OF the pomologist is truly
surprising TO one who has no made
the matter a subjec OF investigation
Last September it was the privilege
of the writer TO attend the sessions OF
the Ma ional Irrigation congress. all
Ogden Utah. where one of tie pcinci-
pal attractions was an Interstate
fruit SHOW In which the representative
horticulturists OF California, Oregon,
Idaho, Utah and Colorado competed
for a big silver cup, which trophy had
been offered by Senator Clark OF
Montana, as a prize for the best state
exhibit of fruit The display as
whole was a magnificent evidence OF
the rich soils and mild climes OF those
great states and a splendid testimon
ial of the pluck, perseverance, skill
and enterprise of he fruit growers as
well. Indeed. when a resident of tAe
region which lies between the Missis-
sippi river and the Rocky mountains
gazes on those luscious fruits of Eu
ropean origin many of which are too
tender for this part of the country, or
else cannot Withstand the attacks of
the various blights, molds, rots or 9TH
er fungus diseases, he is tempted to
wish that he too might live beyond
the continental divide, where mold
and rot do no corrupt and blights do
net creep in to rob the fruit grower
of the just reward of his labors.
Right then, however, is when the cit
izen of the southwest should pinch
himself into a realization of the fact
that in Oklahoma, where he lives,
there are no less than six species Of
indigenous wild grapes, while all of
the grapes OF Europe were derived
from a parent stock which consists Of
but a single indigenous species! Then
he should recall that all of the wond
erful plums and prunes of Europe
have been developed from but two
species of indigenous pums while in
Oklahoma there are no less than sew
en- separate ana distinct species of
native plums, two of VIII IN have not
thus far been recognized nd classified
by the botanist, Let the dwellers in
the reclaimed lands beyond the great
mountains OF the west have the best
that European pomology can give
them. for they have little or nothing
OF their own in the way of indigenous
fruit that is worthy of development.
In the southwest, on the other hand,
we have no ready made pomology
but what of that? With a yariey y of
native fruits that is truly wonderful
in its profusion with the plant
breeders art stripped of its old time
mys icism and the laws of nature up
on the know, edge of which its prac-
tice is based, thoroughly understood,
there can be no question as to the
ultimate creation of a special pomol-
ogy for this great region. What Prof,
Munson has done to utilize the grapes
of the southwest other proficient spe-
cialistg must do for the various other
indiger JUS fruits and nuts of this re.
giou J mention nuts wit fruits for
/ am convinced that nut culture is
destined TO receive considerable at
ention at the hands of horticulurists
In Oklahoma eventually Within the
present limits of Oklahoma are to be
found no less than three Indigenous
species Of walnut trees-a greater
number than are to be found in any
other single state in the union with
the exception of Texas-besides pecan
and shellbark hickory.
need not here enlarge upon the
plant BREEDER and his methods The
knowledge and skill which lead TO
success in this special line are readily
attainable by such as viii apply them.
selves IN the effort to master the de-
tails of It's theory and pracilce. ma
there should. however be some incent-
i've to quicken the activities in which
knowledge. skin and patience OF such
high degree are required, is very
evident To adopt some means OF
! encouragement which viii lead TO tef
mite and positive results, then, be-
comes to us a real question al issue
In the discovery, propagation and dis
semination of valuable native seed
ilings Of introduced fruits and pTomis
/ ing varieties Of indigenous fruits and
nuts. the various horticultural socie
ties. farmers Institutes, state and
county fairs and the Agricultural Ex
pertinent station can all Of great
service Yet the fact remains thai
too often the real producer Of a new