The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1916-08-22

riety-the MOntmorency-than of all
the others combined. These varieties
are successful generally in the cen
trail and southern sections, as well as
in some parts of the northern section.
but in the latter there are large re-
gions where the conditions practically
preclude the growing of cherries. 1t
is not believed that sweet cherries are
likely to withstand the conditions any
where in this area.
Sand cherries also do well in many
parts Of the Great Plains area. The
fruit is of value primarily for making
jelly or preserves rather than for use
in the fresh state.
Currants.
CurrantS appear to be one of the
most satisfactory small fruits for the
Great Plains. Most varieties do about
equally well and are generally hardy.
The London Uondon Market) is per-
haps grown in larger quantities than
any other sort, but the Cherry, Vic
toria, Red Dutch, and North Star, for
red sorts, and the White Grape, for
white variety, have done well at the
Akron field station and include the
sorts most commonly found elsewhere
in the Great Plains area.
Gooseberries.
In general, what has been stated re-
garding currants is true ASP of goose
berries. They are quite dependable
wherever currants are succeeding. To
keep them vigorous, however, the
sprouts that habitually grow from the
ground in rather large numbers should
be kept well thinned out.
Probably the Downing, HoughtOn,
and POOrman can be planted generally
in this area with as much assurance
of satisfaction as any other varieties.
Raspberries and Blackberries.
Raspberries, blackberries, and dew
berries have not proved very success
full in this area, and they have not
been planted as rule in the ranch
fruit gardens. Generally speaking,
they do not withstand dry weather
well.
Strawberries.
Success with strawberries in this
area seems to be more largely mat
ter of the plants becoming well estab-
lished and having an adequate mOis-
ture supply during certain periods
than is the planting of any particular
variety. Newly set plants should be
watered as needed until they are well
-re-established after transplanting.
By mulching with straw during the
winter to prevent repeated thawing
and freezing as well as to protect the
plants from extreme temperatures,
strawberries can probably be grown
almost anywhere in the Great Plains,
provided water can be applied during
the critical periods.
While irrigation might be quite adj
vantageous at times in the growing of
other fruits, it may often be practical
BILE to water q small strawberry bed
that can be located near the dwelling
house, when it would be out of the
question to water a fruit garden more
or less distant from the buildings.
AS to varieties, the Excelsior, Beder-
wood, Crescent and Dunlap are sug-
gested. OF these, the Crescent is the
only one that has imperfect flowers.
1t must therefore be planted with a
perfect Towering sort in order to pro-
duce fruit.
Mixed Planting Advisable.
Many varieties of apples, plums,
pears, cherries and other fruits are
more or less sterile with their own
pollen. Such varieties, therefore, may
be unfruitful, even though they bios
som abundantly, unless planted in close
proximity to other varieties Of the
same kind which blossom stimuli
taneOusly with them. While not all
varieties are self-sterile, and some
times those which are so under certain
conditions are not self-sterile under
others, the matter is Of too great i'm
portance to be disregarded when plant
ing orchards or fruit gardens. 1t is
therefore always wise to select at least
two varieties of each kind of fruit for
planting, unless one has good evidence
that under his conditions a variety
which he desires is self-fertile.