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produce edible and attractive fruits. It does not appear to he a 

 well "fixed" variet,y. Some of our bushes produce berries little 

 larger than those of the red currant, while others give fruits five- 

 eighths of an inch in diameter. It is also variable in period of 

 ripening on our plants, although the soil is uniform throughout 

 the row. 



Our bushes were fairly productive, but a heavy crop could not 

 be expected from young plants. Bearing canes and photographs 

 from Frank Ford & Son, the introducers, show remarkable 

 productiveness. The habit of the plants indicate probable high 

 productiveness. 



The plant is hardy and vigorous and so far our specimens have 

 been free from insect attacks, although the currant worm was very 

 abundant upon adjacent rows of common sorts. The bushes at- 

 tain to a large size, and need more room than other currants. 



The fruits are large and fair, bluish-black and polished. They 

 separate from the stem and are therefore picked and sold singly, 

 like gooseberries and cherries. The flavor is sweet and agreeable, 

 though not pronounced. There is none of the grossness of flavor 

 characteristic of common black currants. It makes good stews, 

 pies, and jellies, whether used green or ripe. In jelly we prefer 

 it to other currants. 



The variety is wholl}^ distinct from every other. It represents 

 a new type of small fruit, which, when further selected and im- 

 proved, must come to be a staple. 



INFLUENCE OF SOII. UPON PEAS. 



It is well known that peas are quickly influenced by certain 

 soils. The fact was incidentally well illustrated in our garden the 

 past season in a planting of the Golden Gem. The rows began in 

 a good rich loam and ran into a stiff and strong clay. A good sod 

 had been turned under a few days before the peas were sown. 

 The ends of the rows were so dissimilar at picking time that the)^ 

 appeared to be planted with different varieties. Twelve average 

 plants were selected from each end of the patch, and they gave the 

 following data : 



