116 



is very good, and while it is a big berry it doesn't sell in 

 the same class as the Fay or the Wilder. The Perfection 

 makes a very large bush ; it is not as dark red as either the 

 Fay or the Wilder, but still there is a good deal to recom- 

 mend it for the near future. 



For gooseberries probably the only commercial variety 

 satisfactory to grow at the present time is the Downing, 

 I think we can develop a market to take them, particularly, 

 if we grow them larger, as they do abroad. 



The raspberry and gooseberry, particularly the rasp- 

 berry, are grown somewhat in Massachusetts, but not near- 

 ly enough. We depend largely on New York and they ship 

 quite a distance, but it is not in as good condition as those 

 grown near the market. The Cuthbert and Herbert are the 

 most common varieties and I think the Cuthbert should be 

 the one preferred, having been raised longer and having es- 

 tablished a good reputation. 



Considering the blackberry, I think the Snyder is the 

 best for market, but the Eldorado is also good. 



It has been asked that some mention should be made 

 of grapes in this meeting, so I want to say that while I think 

 grapes are not a commercial proposition on a large scale in 

 Massachusetts, I think there is a splendid market for a very 

 fancy article, grapes that can be grown, weighing, from 

 three-quarters of a pound to a pound to thf bunch and cut 

 ■with a bit of the stem on them, packed in shallow trays or 

 baskets so that there is only one layer in the tray, and sup- 

 plied to the markets, for anywhere from eight to ten cents 

 a pound, which can be received for them, even at whole- 

 sale, when they are grown in that way and shipped and 

 packed in those packages, and I think there is no more prof- 

 itable fruit when grown ^ on the lighter warm soil, on the 

 South side of the hills, than is the grape. For that pur- 

 pose I think the Concord and Worden might be grown, and 

 possibly the Delaware in some sections. It comes down 

 largely to a matter of pruning, and I think that is one of 

 the points where we fall down. We are apt to grow too 

 much wood. We are growing the fruit in the fourth and 

 sometimes the sixth year, Avhereas we. should keep the 

 grapes down more to renew the system of the entire vine 

 practically every year, and in that way get a very much bet- 

 ter bunch. We should keep in mind that the less wood 

 growth the stronger and larger the bunch will be. The 



