46 AGRICULTURE OF MAIXE. 



later killed by the cold. It would seem that the leaf-buds on 

 canes left standing did not start as early, consequently did not 

 suffer in proportion. As in the case of the strawberries, the 

 quality was rather inferior. 



Gooseberries. For several seasons the gooseberry crop has 

 been decimated by a severe drop due to sun-scald early in July. 

 This was probably due to some extent at least to lack of sufH- 

 cient foliage. The pruning of the gooseberry has been seriously 

 neglected, for in order to supply the proper amount of leaf 

 surface it is necessary to cut back the plants rather heavily 

 and incite a new growth of wood. Some of the growers have 

 planted fruit trees along the rows to supply shade, but this 

 is not entirely satisfactory as the shade is not supplied during 

 the hottest part of the day, and results often times in shutting 

 off what circulation of air there may be. The Chautauqua in 

 a great many ways seems to be a superior berr>' to the Down- 

 ing, especially in the matter of size, and the market takes to it 

 very kindly. 



Blackberries. It has always been a matter of wonder to the 

 writer why No. i blackberries are not received in better favor 

 on the part of the consuming public. When properly grown 

 and handled it is hard to conceive of a berry with superior 

 flavor and general lusciousness. The reason for this indiflFer- 

 ence must be due largely to the relatively small supply of fancy 

 fruit handled by the distributors, for it is painfully apparent 

 that the general run of blackberries on the market is of inferior 

 quality. Many such berries are gathered from roadsides and 

 pastures from volunteer plants which receive little or no care. 

 When well fertilized and planted upon good, rich soil, we have 

 an entirely different berry and one which to my mind cannot 

 fail to please the palate. Immature, sun-dried, worthless fruit 

 never should be placed upon the market, but under the circum- 

 stances, where the cost of picking is the only expense connected 

 with such fruit, we shall probably, like the poor, always have 

 them in our midst. 



Currants. Like the gooseberr>', and of course all other 

 fruits, the currant responds very readily to good culture, and 

 when planted in favorable soil, fertilized and given good treat- 

 ment, we have a very luscious fruit. With the number of 

 summer visitors who annually spend their vacation in this 



