232 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



grape was produced by an enthusiast named Moore, while a resident of Brighton, 

 N. Y. It was the result of two crosses, the first being from seed of the Diana 

 fertilized with Black Hamburgh, in the year i860. The best result of the cross 

 was named Diana Hamburgh, which was a magnificent failure. Magnificent 

 because so large, handsome, and good ; a failure, because the foliage was liable 

 to mildew and the vine was not sufficiently hardy. The originator was disap- 

 pointed, but persevered. He re-crossed the Diana Hamburgh with the Concord, 

 and the Brighton, grape was the result. He sold the variety to the introducer 

 for less than it cost him, as he had not the means to introduce it himself. The 

 introducer, although fully aware that many parties were swindling the public by 

 means of false labels, was powerless to prevent them, because the variety was 

 * merely a product of nature, the sale of which must be free and unrestricted.' 



" When the Cherry currant first appeared, its sale throughout the United 

 States was a swindle of such magnitude that it may properly be termed 7iational 

 It was first imported from France. The nurserymen with few exceptions, pub- 

 lished the name and description in their catalogues in hot haste when there was 

 but a small stock of plants in the country. Immediately the demand for the 

 plants was far greater than the supply, and the usual artifice of false labels was 

 resorted to by many parties. What tree agent has not heard the story of the 

 Cherry currant swindle enough times to make him feel sick at his stomach ? It 

 is about as follows : ' A tree agent came around here some years ago with a 

 picture book. The picture of the Cherry currant he showed me was so large 

 and handsome, I thought the sort must be worth having, and ordered some 

 plants. I took good care of them and they grew well, but the fruit proved to 

 be nothing but the common little red currant, which I already had. He gave 

 my neighbors the same treatment. I believe I won't buy anything in your line 

 to-day.' 



"The introduction of the Clapp's Favorite pear afforded another oppor- 

 tunity to fleece the public, which was not lost by unscrupulous parties in the 

 trade. Many nurserymen published it in their catalogues when they had no 

 stock, and the usual consequences followed. The new variety was reported to 

 be a cross between the Bartlett and Flemish Beauty. Of course years elapsed 

 before many purchasers found out they had not the ' product of nature ' they 

 bought. 



" The Golden Queen strawberry was another swindle. It was advertised 

 and sold extensively under that name as a new sort, but was soon identified as 

 the ancient variety, Trollope's Victoria. 



" Several years ago, one of the introducers of the grape named Empire 

 State told me * thousands and thousands of vines had been sold by other parties 

 for that variety which were not genuine.' This ' product of nature ' came from 

 seed of Hartford Prolific poUenized by Clinton, by J. H. Ricketts, of Newburgh, 

 N. Y., who is reported to have received $4,000 cash for the entire stock of the 



