36 The Ottawa Naturalist. [May 



Isabella also appeared about the same time. The Concord grape, 

 a pure seedling of Vitis Labrusca, was introduced in 1853. 

 Rogers' Hybrids followed in 1856, and since that time many 

 have been introduced. No grapes of high quality have yet been 

 originated from the Canadian species including Vitis riparia 

 and V. cordijolia, although some improved varieties have been 

 introduced. 



All our cultivated red currants have been originated from 

 the European species Rihes rubruni. This fruit has been culti- 

 vated since the middle ages as has also the black currant which 

 has also been derived from the European species Rihes nigrum. 

 No good improved forms of our native Rites ,^oridum have been 

 introduced. 



The European gooseberry, Rihes Grossularia, began to be 

 cultivated in the 16th century. It is a very important fruit in 

 Great Britain, where it has been cultivated for 300 years. The 

 greatest improvement has taken place in the last 100 years and 

 to-day specimens are produced weighing two ounces each. The 

 climatic conditions in most inland places in America are not 

 suited for the European gooseberry and it does not thrive well 

 except under specially favourable conditions. The native 

 American species, Rihes oxyacanthoides is the parent of the 

 Houghton, an improved form, and from the Houghton has 

 sprung the Downing, probably with some European blood in 

 it. The Pearl, one of Dr. Wm. Saunders' productions, is a 

 hybrid between Houghton and a European variety. Rihes 

 Cynoshati has not given any good variety yet, but this has been 

 improved by Dr. Saunders by crossing it with the European 

 gooseberry. 



The red raspberry has been cultivated since the 4th century 

 and probably before. It became popular in the 16th century 

 in Europe. The European varieties are derived from Rubus 

 Id(Fus. For the most part, these are not hardy in the colder parts 

 of America. Most of the named sorts grown in Canada are from 

 the native species, Rubus strigosus, which began to be cultivated 

 about 1831. The Herbert raspberry originating with Mr. Whyte, 

 has probably considerable European blood and may claim as its 

 parent some two of the varieties Herstine, Clark and Franconia. 



Practically all the named black cap raspberries grown to- 

 day are chance seedlings of the wild species, Rubus occidentalism 

 as are the cultivated blackberries of Rubus allegheniensis and its 

 varieties. Other fruits of less importance were also dealt with 

 by Mr. Whyte. 



The lines of improvement in our cultivated fruits suggested 

 by him were: the raising of new sorts of apples from seed 

 specially suited for certain conditions; improvement of American 



