2IO 



The Canadian Horticulturist. 



upon the bushes. For table use its 

 flavor is pecuHarly agreeable, and if 

 left to hang until dark in color, and 

 perfectly ripe, and served with sugar 

 and cream, it is a most delicious dish. 

 Those who have tried' it in jams, pies, 

 jellies, etc., say that it is unsurpassed, 

 (3) It is very hardy, and is report- 

 ed to have safely endured a temper- 

 ature of 40 degrees below zero. (4) 

 Its large size and ease of cultivation 

 tend to make it a general favorite. 



For market purposes, the Shaffer 

 cannot be so confidently recom- 

 mended, because its dull red color 

 is against its sale, as in the case of 

 the " Philadelphia " ; but it is pos- 

 sible that in time its quality ma)^ 



become known and the berry become 

 in demand in the market. In Mich- 

 igan the growers gather the fruit for 

 market before it is quite ripe, and 

 while of a bright red color, in which 

 stage it carries and sells better than 

 if left until fully ripe. Indeed one 

 writer in the Prairie Farmer claims 

 to have sold the Shaffer in Peoria at 

 two cents a quart more than Cuth- 

 berts. 



For evaporating, the Shaffer is 

 especially valuable ; it loses little 

 more in weight than other kinds, 

 yielding an average of at least eight 

 pounds to the bushel, and sells at a 

 higher price per pound than either 

 Ohio or Gregg. 



THE SUMMER MEETING. 



^^HE meeting at Seaforth 

 was highly interesting. 



and was chiefly devoted 

 to a discussion upon 

 small fruits, of which 

 many fine specimens 

 were exhibited on the 

 fruit table. Of currants, the Red 

 Cherry and the Fays' Prolific were 

 spoken of with the most favor, the 

 latter, however, as having better 

 bunches and being more productive, 

 especially when young. Samples of 

 the Conn gooseberry were exhibited 

 by the Secretary and by Mr. P. E. 

 Bucke, which were large and fine, 

 approaching the Whitesmith in size. 

 We can bear testimony to the large 

 size and great productive qualities of 



this variety, and if it is truly mildew 

 proof, it will be of great value no 

 doubt. Mr. Bucke has made a change 

 in the name of this gooseberry, which 

 is henceforth to be known as the 

 " Autocrat." Mr. Beall, of Lindsay, 

 said he believed it was an old variety, 

 and if so the old name should be 

 hunted out and applied, as it is con- 

 fusing to have synonymous terms for 

 the same variety of fruit. 



The subject of " Judging Fruit at 

 Fairs " was introduced by Mr. Beall, 

 in a very able paper. The incompe- 

 tency of man}' judges on fruit was se- 

 verely criticised, and the great need of 

 a carefull}- prepared scale of points for 

 the guidance of the judges was strongly 

 emphasized. It was also argued 



