Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-10-01
.
IMPROVING VARIETIES.


.
ThOre is hardly an orchard in the
country that is worthy the name but
what in it will be found individual
trees so distinctively better than 9TH
ers of the same variety as to at once
attract the attention of the horticul-
turst.
careful study of a block of Bald
win, Jonathan or Ben Davis apple
trees will result in the discovery of
many peculiarities as to habit of tree
size and color of fruit, and even the
flavor and keeping qualities of the
same varieties.
So great is this variance at times, in
the same variety of apples as to be-
wilder the experienced grower and
make difficult the work of properly
classifying some of the best known
varieties. Not only in the fruit itself
does this variation take vlace, but in
the tree as we'll
Trees and plants are modified to
great extent through the influence Of
SOIL climate and their general environ
ments. This is frequently observed
when they are transplanted from one
section to another. Likewise the va
riety Is changed. Sometimes through
difference in environment 1t Is i'm
| proved so greatly as to almost change
| its entire appearance and flavor, while
on the other hand the change may be
entirely for the worse.
| A variety of apple that shows a great
tendency to vary is the Ben Davis. In
a block of 100 trees Of this variety
| there will frequently be found trees
producing decidedly different qualities
of fruit The flavor color and size of
fruit on certain trees will differ from
others in the same orchard. So varied
has this ample proven that it is grown
and sold under half dozen different
names in as many different localities,
yet all these seemingly different va
rieties, when closely studied, will be
found to be the plain old Ben Davis
characteristic. however. of the condi-
lions under which 1t may have been
produced.
This wonderful variation so common
to the apple accounts for the thousands
of so-called varieties which are placed
on the market nearly all OF them be-
ing valueless to the grower. except 1t
be for show To the nurseryman they
are source of profit--they give him
novelties which he can sell at a good
profit
This variation. however, can be made
a source Of profit to the orchardist If
he will take advantage of it. It is
possible for him, by little study and
effort to improve his orchard by
breeding up the best trees just as the
florist improves his flowers and the
stockman his herds.
IF he has the time and patience he
win begin by studying the habits of
his trees. He will observe the ten
dencv of certain trees to produce bet
ter fruit, and to carry 1t through the
season to maturity. He will note al
the habits of the trees and then wher
he has found what to himself appears
a choice tree Of variety. he win mark
the same and from it will take his
scions or buds with which to propa-
gate his selections.
In this way the grower will find
that he can improve the standard Of (
variety of a marked degree He viii
find in his study that not only viii thu
trees of a like variety show variable
; ness. but sthat particular branches vii
: bear fruit so much different from tina
borne on other branches as to seem al
: together distinct from the rest of tn
fruit on the tree
Awaiting himself of these bette
kinds the grower may so improve hi
: trees as TO raise only the very highes
quality of a particular variety Whe
he has grown trees grated from sc
lected stock in this way. he will knoy
: what to expect from them. He wi
= not be Specializing on the Judgment O
: the honesty of anybody and he ma
;. reasonably hone to be richly rewarde
for all his labor and care by having /
his orchard nothing but the best.
The growing demand for nurser
: stock, all over the country, has cause
:. many changes in the manner Of pre-
ducing trees and plants. The time wa
: when the business of growing tree
was confined almost STRICTLY ~ me