276 SUCCESS WITH SMALL FRUITS. 



bush is a vigorous grower, that will thrive, with decent cul- 

 ture, on any moderately good soil, and is very rarely injured 

 by mildew. At the same time it improves greatly under 

 high culture and pruning. The bush has a slender and even 

 weeping habit of growth, and can be propagated readily by 

 cuttings. From the Houghton have, been gro\vn two seed- 

 lings that now are justly the most popular. 



The first and best of these is the Downing, originated by 

 Mr. Charles Downing of Newburgh. It is an " upright, 

 vigorous-growing plant, very productive. Fruit somewhat 

 larger than the Houghton, roundish-oval, whitish-green, with 

 the rib veins distinct. Skin smooth. Flesh rather soft, 

 juicy." I consider this the best and most profitable variety 

 that can be generally grown in this country. In flavor, it 

 is excellent. I have had good success with it whenever 

 I have given it fair culture. It does not propagate 

 readily from cuttings, and therefore I increase it usually by 

 layering. 



The second seedling is Smith's Improved, a comparatively 

 new variety that is winning favor. It more closely resembles 

 the Houghton in its habit of growth than the Downing, and 

 yet is more vigorous and upright than its parent. The fruit 

 is considerably larger than the Houghton, oval, light green, 

 with a bloom, moderately firm, sweet and good. 



Mountain Seedling, originating with the Shakers at Leba- 

 non, New York, is the largest of the American varieties, but 

 for some reason it does not gain in popularity. 



Cluster, or American Red, is a variety of unknown origin. 

 The ancestral bush may have been found in the woods. 

 The fruit is scarcely as large as that of the Houghton, is 

 darker in color when fully ripe, hangs long on the bush, and 

 is sweet and good. Mr. P. Barry says that it never mildews. 

 Therefore, it should be made one of the parents of ne\^ 



