species. The Downing is still more largely planted in America than any other variety 

 of gooseberry. This is doubtless largely due to the fact that comparatively little has 

 been done towards improving the gooseberry in America during the past fifty years. 

 The most work seems to have been done by Dr. Wm. Saunders, Director of the 

 Dominion Experimental Farms, the originator of the Pearl, Red Jacket, and many 

 other seedlings and crosses not yet on the market. These varieties were all originated 

 in London, Ont. There is a good field for work in improving the native gooseberries, 

 as there is no apparent reason why the size should not be equal to the best English 

 varieties. The quality of the American varieties is considered by some to be better 

 than the average English gooseberry, but the flavor is not nearly as good as the best 

 English sorts." 



Pig. 3. — Red currants and corn in a Burlington orchard. 



The native species of gooseberries in Canada are found growing very far 

 north, so that eventually its culture, as with the currant, will extend to those dis- 

 tricts where other hush fruits and tree fruits are too tender to stand the long 

 and severe winter. 



The gooseberry as now grown is objectionable on account of its thorns, and 

 though this may seem a trifling objection to many, yet it is an important con- 

 sideration when picking times comes around. Breeding and selection will, no 

 doubt, in time produce a good commercial thornless gooseberry. An English 

 variety has been recently introduced which is said to be thornless. Also at the 

 ■Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, there are several young seedlings which are 

 perfectly free of thorns, though probably it will be some time before a com- 

 anercial thornless variety is originated from them. 



For culture in Ontario, the American gooseberries, perhaps, have most to 

 recommend them, the mildew being the great drawback to the English varieties. 

 American varieties have vigor, hardiness, ease of propagation, and superior quality, 



