The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1907-09-27
The Adaptation Of Varieties to Soils.

The Yellow Newtown Pippin apple,
which is well-known to most apple
growers. well illustrates the adaptation
of varieties to soils. This variety orig
mated on Long Island and was grown
in few restricted localities in the
vicinity of New York, and in small
way at Albemarl in Virginia. In the
first year of Queen Victoria's reign,
Her Majesty was presented with few
barrels of this variety, which were
grown at Albemarl. So pleased was
she with the apples that she had the
tax removed from this one variety. AS
might be expected, this notice by the
Queen brought the variety into promi-
nence, and since that time it has been
much in demand for the export trade.
This demand led TO increased paintings,
when it was soon found that this vari-
ETY. succeeded in only a few restricted
localities. Recently it has been deter.
mined that this varietal popularity il
entirely due to soil. Wherever soil il
found which corresponds in its ply sical
makeup with those where the variet,
has succeeded, and the climatic condi-
tions are favorable. the Yellow New.
town will succeed.
1t is simply an extreme case of the
adaptation of a variety to particular
soil. No doubt some other factors,
which are not now understood, enter
into the adaptation, but the general
principle holds good.
Now. to come to our own state. We
find that potatoes will only succeed
| well in soils Of certain character.
Potato soil must not be too heavy and
should contain certain per cent. of
sand or small gravel; and what is
equally important, such soil must be
well underdrained 1t will be found, as
rule, that in localities where potatoes
are successfully grown, drainage is
provided for by bed of gravel which
underlies the surface at varying depths.
1t has been found at the Colorado
Agricultural College that the cause Of
this adaptation of the potato plant to
soils of the same general character is
due to the fact that certain plant dis
eases do not find in them conditions for
growth.
The Marlboro red raspberry is anoth-
er striking example. At its home on
the Hudson river it makes a weak,
spindling growth. and seems to be
gradually deteriorating. No variety
has made the growers of that region
more money, but it is now being aban-
doned for more vigorous kinds. In the
famous raspberry district of Loveland.
Colo, it is surprising to find that the
Marlboro is practically the only variety
grown for market, and that the condi-
tions there are such that the plants are
height of ten feet. An examination Of
the soils and the behavior of plants
points pretty strongly to the conclusion
that the Marlboro raspberry is nearly
as particular in regard to soils as the
potato. 1t certainly succeeds best in
soil which is similar to potato soil. and
evidently for similar reasons. Most
growers are familiar with raspberry
yellows." where the foliage on fruiting
canes becomes curled and gradually
takes on yellow color. Not infre-
quently the fruit on such canes shrivels
before it ripens. Upon examination.
the outer bark of the main root of such
plants will be found to be much discol-
ored, and often the stem will be con-
stricted just below the surface of the
ground. There is little doubt that this
is the work of fungi, as is the case with
the potato, and consequently. in order
to be successful with this crop. much
attention should be given to the char
acter of the soil.
Colorado has become noted for its
regions of special crops and. as time
goes on we may expect to see this
feature more strongly developed. We
may. in time, even expect to see local
varieties of wheat and potatoes.
The intending planter of fruit of any
description will do well to study very
thoroughly the plantations in his neigh
borhood which are located on similar
sites and soils. w. PADDOCK.