220 SUCCESS WITH SMALL FRUITS. 



belonging to the same family. It is shorter and more slen- 

 der in its growth, quite free from spines, and its canes are 

 of a peculiar mouse-color. Its fruit is even larger, but firm, 

 decidedly conical, not very bright when fully ripe, and rather 

 dry, but sweet and agreeable in flavor. Mr. Downing says 

 that its origin is unknown, and that it was brought to this 

 country by the late Mr. Briggs, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 

 " As this gentleman was leaving England " (thus the story 

 is told, Mr. Downing writes to me), '' he visited a friend to 

 say good-by, and solicited this new raspberry. Since he 

 was leaving the country, and could cause no injury to the 

 sale of plants, his friend gave him a few in parting, although 

 three guineas had been refused for a single plant hitherto, 

 in the careful effort to secure a large stock before putting 

 the variety on the market." Its name suggests Belgium as 

 its original home. 



This Antwerp continues long in bearing, and the berries 

 begin to ripen early. The good carrying qualities of the 

 fruit, combined with great productiveness, made it at one 

 time the most profitable market berry in this section ; but 

 its culture was chiefly confined to a narrow strip on the west 

 shore of the Hudson, extending from Cornwall to Kingston. 

 For some obscure reasons, it did not thrive in other local- 

 ities, and now it appears to be failing fast in its favorite 

 haunt. A disease called the "curl-leaf" is destroying some 

 of the oldest and largest plantations, and the growers are 

 looking about for hardier and more vigorous varieties. But 

 in its palmy days, and even still, the Hudson River Antwerp 

 was one of the great productions of the country, sending 

 barges and steamers nightly to New York laden with ruby 

 cones, whose aroma was often very distinct on the windward 

 shore while the boats were passing. This enormous business 

 had in part a chance and curious origin, and a very small be- 



