SECRETARY'S REPORT. 21 



rod of land, would improve it for the production of fruit. And though so 

 luany neglect it, few would be willing, after setting a tree and tending it 

 properly for a year or two, or till it becomes thrifty, to part with it for even 

 more than all the cost. 



It is true that the large fruits — grown as standards — are several years in 

 coming to bearing, but the same dwarfed, and the small fruits are attainable 

 much sooner. With good management, fair crops of the latter may be real- 

 ized in the second or third year from planting. Among these perhaps the 

 currant, all things considered, is the most valuable and useful. It does well 

 in almost any soil or situation, in sun or shade. It is hardy, and in regard 

 to fruit, reliable, and should be deemed indispensable to every garden. Like 

 all others, it is much improved by cultivation, and if the ground is rich and 

 moist, it will yield fruit far exceeding in quality and quantity that grown on 

 poor, uncultivated soil. If several sorts, embracing early and late, are 

 planted, a succession of fruit may be obtained, varying in color, flavor and 

 fitness for different uses, and extending from July to September. The com- 

 mon Red and White Dutch, White Grape and May's Victoria are all valuable 

 sorts. The latter ripens quite late, and is frequently picked too early, while 

 sour and astringent, but if allowed to remain till fully ripe, it becomes less 

 acid, of rich, pleasant flavor, and is truly excellent. 



Spent tan bark, if used for mulching, may be put on thick enough lo keep 

 down weeds and grass, without fear of injuring currant bushes. A mixture 

 of lime or ashes improves it as a fertilizer, but it will not last as long as with- 

 out it. If the weeds are kept down at first, the bushes will soon grow and 

 shade the ground, so that but little labor will be required afterward to keep 

 them down. 



Grapes also are worth cultivating, and will do well in almost any place 

 sheltered from cold winds, and sometimes without shelter. But probably the 

 best situation — and there are many such lying waste — is the south side of a 

 high blufi" or ledge, with the vines trained close against it. The soil is gen- 

 erally good, or easily made so. and the ledge a good barrier against north 

 winds. It absorbs heat through the day, and gives it off during the night, 

 keeping up a more equal temperature. Mr. Joseph Avery of Jeflerson, has 

 vines growing in a place of this description, which have fruited, and promise 

 80 well that he intends to enlarge next season. There are several varieties 

 worthy of cultivation, a description of which, with the manner of pruning, 

 training. &c., is given in the Secretary's Report for 1860, to which nothing can 

 be added here. 



A defect, and one that is a frequent cause of fjiilure, is in preparing for and 

 setting vines. A deep hole is dug, a quantity of manure put in and covered 

 with the poor earth thrown up from below, and the vines set, with their roots 

 buried deep in this poor subsoil. To have the roots placed in soil made lighf 

 and rich with well rotted manure or compost, fine and thoroughly mixed, is 

 very important. It need not be to a great depth, but the nearer the surface 

 the richer it should be. Some of the lower roots ought to be placed pretty 

 deep, to ensure moisture in time of drouth, but others at less depth, and be 

 sure that some of the uppermost ones are very near the surface. For mulch- 

 ing, a thin coat of partially decayed horse manure is most suitable, at least, 

 till the vines become established. 



Many of the English or Lancashire gooseberries are very large and hand- 

 some, and fine crops of Whitesmith, Crown-Bob, and others are sometimes 

 raised, but none of them can be depended on in this country on account of 

 their great liability to mildew. Houghton's Seedling, a native sort, though 

 less in size than many of the English, is in other respects superior. It is not 

 subject to mildew, is verv prolific, quality and flavor good, and is worthy of 

 more extensive cultivation than any other. 



The gooseberry requires nearly the same treatment as the currant, but it 

 will not bear neglect as well. Let the ground be trenched deep, made very 

 rich, and Houghton's Seedling will yield astonishing crops. 



