THE SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 361 



remarkably small and few in number. Although exceedingly firm the berry is 

 not dry or hard, but juicy and of very fine quality. It is a strong, vigorous, 

 healthy plant, and enormously productive. In a test of six rows each of 

 Davidson's Thornless and Tyler, planted at the same time and each receiving 

 exactly the same treatment, there were picked from the former six rows, one 

 bushel and two quarts, and from the Tyler exactly six bushels, or one bushel to 

 the row. This was on the grounds of a neighboring fruit-grower who in his 

 enthusiasm is about to uproot a fine young plantation of other varieties and 

 replant them with Tyler. In the Auburn markets it commands an average of 

 three cents per quart more than other varieties on account of its quality and 

 handsome appearance. I think itisby far the best berry of its season and effect- 

 ually displaces the Doolittle and Thornless, thus supplying a long felt want, 

 and I have no doubt that as soon as it becomes better known it will be planted 

 more extensively than any other, and I see no reason why its merits should not 

 be made known as were those of many inferior sorts that are now being puffed 

 and lauded through the country. The Gfregg, our best late sort, commences to 

 ripen at about the last picking of Tyler, and thus by planting these two varie- 

 ties the season may be greatly prolonged, while I believe that two more profita- 

 ble sorts cannot be grown." 



THREE BLACKBERRIES. 



Granville Cowing, of Muncie, Indiana, says but three varieties of black- 

 berries — Snyder, "Wallace, and Taylor's Prolific, — have thus far proved profitable 

 in tliis latitude. They are more hardy than any others, and have often passed 

 through severe winters and perlected a crop of fruit, where all other kinds were 

 killed to the ground. Last winter, for the first time since their introduction, 

 they were much injured by a combination of drouth and intense frost, and pro- 

 duced but few berries; but such a winter was never before seen by the oldest 

 inhabitant and may not be repeated during the present generation. Of the 

 three, Taylor's Prolific proved to be the most tender; butitcannot be dispensed 

 with on that account, because it is only the very late variety that will generally 

 pass through our winters in good condition. Snyder ripens about ten days 

 before Wallace and two weeks before Taylor's prolific. They are all remark- 

 ably productive of the best flavor, and wholly free from rust, so destructive to 

 Kittatinny and Western Triumph. Snyder and Wallace are strong upright 

 growers, with large round leathery leaves, much alike in general appearance and 

 wholly unlike any other variety. Wallace is quite as hardy as Snyder, and 

 when its worth becomes fully known it will no doubt be extensively planted. 

 Its berries are long and slightly larger than those of Taylor's Prolific, which 

 are also larger than those of Snyder. 



GROWING CURRANTS. 



One who has had experience tells the Practical Farmer how to profitably grow 

 a half acre of currants : 



A piece of land fitted to produce a good crop of potatoes is in a good condi- 

 tion to set to currants. To set them four by five feet will require about one 

 thousand two hundred bushes, and they should cost about $5 per hundred, or 



