VERMONT AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 131 



changed climatic conditions, but to the selection of better loca- 

 tions for planting, use of varieties tested for hardiness, and a 

 better knowledge of the care and cultivation necessary to success. 

 As long ago as i860 in the Connecticut River valley, a good crop 

 of this fruit was ripened on some seedling trees that were grown 

 from pits, brought from Massachusetts seme years before, and 

 last year (1898) a part)' in an adjoining town raised a crop of one 

 half bushel to the tree on several trees of the Crosby and the 

 fruit compared well with that in the local markets. Other 

 instances might be quoted, but this is sufficient to show what 

 has been done; there are many places in the warmer valleys of 

 the state, where with proper selection of varieties, this fruit 

 can be grown. Without discussing methods and varieties, we 

 should expect the most success with seedling trees, raised from 

 well ripened pits and at proper age those that showed the most 

 vitality could be budded to the hardiest named varieties ; and 

 I will mention as promising in this direction, Crosby, Bokana 

 No. 3 and Holdenbaum. 



I will now devote a little space to that fine culinary fruit, 

 the cranberry. Thirty years ago its production was confined to 

 limited areas in three or four of our seaboard states. Now 

 large sections are devoted to its culture in several of our north- 

 ern states, Ontario and the maritime provinces of Canada; 

 while smaller ones may be found in several other states, and 

 with these Vermont, and here where intelligent work has been 

 done in preparing the land and in furnishing facilities for flood- 

 ing in time of need, good results have been obtained. Now we 

 have many acres of marsh land that in its present state is 

 worthless, that might be converted into profitable bogs. The 

 first cost of fitting and planting an acre would be greater than 

 for almost any other crop, but the permanent character of the 

 work would compensate for this, coupled with the fact that 

 there would always be a home market for all the fruit raised. 

 Our natural conditions are not adverse to the growing of this 

 fruit, as the few trials already made have amply proved. 



Now to close, I will bring to your notice a fruit that is 

 native to the state, but one whose value as a dessert and culi- 

 nary fruit our people have been slow to appreciate, the goose- 

 berry. Its uses are many, and the difficulties of cultivation and 

 protection from insect foes are not more serious than for the 

 currant, and like this last named fruit, good cultivation and 

 proper pruning and thinning of fruit is very necessary for best 

 results ; the varieties I have tested areHoughton, Smith, Down- 

 ing and Industry. The latter is an English variety of excellent 

 quality, but subject to mildew. In making small plantings of 

 this fruit for home use, we might expect the best results from 

 the following American seedlings : Red Jacket, Pearl, Triumph 



