268 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



SOME NEW GOOSEBERRIES. 



N article in an English paper recently giving almost fabulous reports 

 concerning the productiveness of gooseberries in that far-away island, 

 led me to investigate the merits and success of certain new and large 

 varieties now being tried in this country. That Gooseberry culture 

 has been greatly stimulated and increased either by improved 

 methods of culture, or by better and larger sorts recently brought 

 out, is evinced by a recent order given by one man for 90,000 plants 

 The English article above referred to stated that 27 tons of fruit had been har- 

 vested from 10 acres and the following year 30 tons. But the variety there 

 cultivated is the Industry and it does not generally succeed in this country. It 

 is too productive and lacks vigor. 



An amateur has been testing nearly all of the new sorts as they have 

 appeared and finds a ready market for all the fruit he can grow. Downing with 

 him ranks high, but is small to medium in size; 29 points. Smith's Improved, 

 small, quality best, has 30 points in its favor. Keepsake, medium to large, 27 

 points. Industry, large, is graded ai 27 points. Red Jacket very productive, 32 

 points. Triumph, or Columbus, which is the same, is very large and scores 27 

 points. In freedom from mildew Downing ranks as best and Red Jacket as 

 second. With me the report would be reversed, for I have not found a trace of 

 mildew since I have had that variety and the Triumph has been equally free 

 though not so vigorous a grower. If these large varieties should prove as pro- 

 ductive and healthy as the Houghton a great and valuable addition will have 

 been made to the fruits of the temperate zone and especially to us in America. — 

 Farm and Home. 



Elberta in Miehig"an. — The Elberta was doing finely. It marks an era 

 on peach culture as great as the Concord grape did in grape culture. It is large, 

 handsome and of uniform size and very excellent quality. P'anters of peach 

 trees are now growing varieties that will give a succession through the season, 

 whereas they formerly planted all the late varieties. Continued cultivation from 

 early to late has been found the best for peach orchards, beginning with the 

 blooming of the trees. Orchards that were not cultivated until June produce 

 fruit, but its size was not nearly as large as those cultivated early. The fruit is 

 mostly handled by shipping associations and the cost of grading, packing, pack- 

 ages and marketing is t8 1-2 to 20 cents per bushel. One of the most profitable 

 methods in peach culture is proved to be that of thinning the fruit in its early 

 stages. There is much less strain upon the tree, the fruit is more uniform in 

 size, and much larger and finer than where not thinned. Mr. Miller closed with 

 the remark made by an intelligent observer of mankind, that the commercial 

 fruit growers were the most intelligent class of agriculturists. — Country 

 Gentlemen. 



