DELIGHTFUL BERRIES 335 



be quite possible to find varieties of the 

 two plants that have closer affinity. The 

 hybridizing of these would offer interesting 

 possibilities. 



Experiments with the gooseberry as with the 

 currant have been extensive and have produced 

 a great number of gooseberries of superior qual- 

 ity; none, however, until very lately have been 

 really notable. 



Some of the most interesting experiments had 

 to do with the native species known as the Coast 

 gooseberry, Ribes divaricatum, which grows 

 around Tomales Bay, but have also worked with 

 the Canyon gooseberry, Ribes Menzieszi, a tall, 

 rapid-growing shrub with rather small leaves 

 and very prickly stems. 



The berries of this variety resemble a chestnut 

 bur rather than a gooseberry, the spines occu- 

 pying the whole surface of the fruit. The fruit 

 itself is excellent in flavor and is prepared for 

 eating by being placed in hot water so as to 

 soften the prickles, after which the pulp is easily 

 crushed out. 



I have developed several partially thornless 

 varieties of this gooseberry, and have also had 

 partially thornless ones sent me, showing that 

 the species tends to vary in this direction. But 

 the seedlings from these partially thornless 



