294 Notes and Gleanings. 



Our Soil congenial to the Raspberry, Blackberry, and Currant. 



Confessedly we have a genial soil for the raspberry and the blackberry. The 

 autumn vigor of our canes indicates that the entire season is favorable for the 

 retention of foliage and the maturity of the fruiting canes. The same may be 

 said of the currant. We know that in some sections of our country the sun is 

 too parching, for the foliage of these fruits ripens and drops long before the sea- 

 son is ended. With perfect health, we invariably have the perfection of fruit 

 upon our tables. If it is asked why we have so little in quantity, compared with 

 the hundreds of acres devoted to this purpose in Vineland and other sections 

 south of us, we reply, confessing that there is a lack of enterprise in this direc- 

 tion among us. Other profitable employments and the high price of labor have 

 diverted from this interest. But here, again, let all our cultivators be assured 

 there is no inherent difficulty ; remunerative crops are sure to follow skilful cul- 

 ture, independent of all competition from without. 



Varieties of Grapes adapted to our Climate. 



Other sections can undoubtedly produce grapes of better quality than we. But 

 varieties as hardy as the Concord produce abundantly, and are remunerative. 

 Especially early kinds, which come before the Catawba, are profitable. We 

 continue, indeed, to have upon our tables Isabellas equal to any to be found else- 

 where. But the growth is not spontaneous, and for profitable field culture we 

 must rely as yet upon the Hartford and Concord. The fact that one of your 

 committee has, during the past fall, extended his vineyard by planting four acres 

 with vines, is an indication that intelligent cultivators have confidence in the 

 grape as a source of profit. 



Success of Pear Culture in Massachusetts. 



Of the pear we speak with more confidence, and we do not hesitate to differ 

 from the conclusions of Mr. Houghton, of Philadelphia, who, in a recent essay, 

 has pronounced pear culture unsuccessful in the vicinity of Boston. We think 

 this is a great error. That there have been failures is not to be doubted. That 

 many mistakes have been made, that there has been much neglect, that great 

 numbers of trees have died, is beyond dispute. On the other hand, we are bold 

 to say that wise culture of the pear is as certain of success, with us, as it is pos- 

 sible to be anywhere in this uncertain world. The crop is never a failure ; our 

 tables are always filled. There are seasons of superabundance and of compara- 

 tive lack. But we never have an approach to a failure. It is true that we ought 

 to have more of this fruit in our markets, and at lower rates, though it is now a 

 common and comparatively cheap article in the autumn months. That it can be 

 produced in vast quantities, witli little cost of labor, with more than ordinary- 

 certainty, and that the crop can be sold so as to yield a good profit, is beyond 

 dispute. We have cultivators who have demonstrated this problem. That we 

 have not many witnesses is simply because most of our citizens direct their main 

 energies to the factory, the warehouse, or the exchange, as the source of largest 

 profits. There is a possibility of gains, there is an activity and a fascination in 



