154 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



of the most healthful and refreshing fruits, and can be used 

 for so many purposes that it is a mystery why this fruit has 

 not been much more generally cultivated. 



One cause of the success of the Victoria as a keeper is that 

 the foliage stays on the plant, and thereby the fruit is pre- 

 served. I have kept the Victoria until September, when the 

 Cherry had gone by several weeks before. It should be 

 grown on a deep, rich, heavy soil, in order to get the best 

 results. If it is grown on a light soil it must be mulched, or 

 before the fruit is thoroughly ripe the foliage will fall, and 

 then the fruit will go also. I have read of parties that have 

 cleared over five hundred dollars on a single acre of currants ; 

 and they can be grown, as has been remarked by the essay- 

 ist, between pear trees. They must have cultivation. If 

 the grass is allowed to run into them they will get choked 

 up. They will continue to bear, but the fruit will be of an 

 inferior quality. Plant the bushes where you can take care 

 of them. But the result will always be satisfactory, if they 

 are given good care and cultivation. 



Question. Have you had any experience with Fay's 

 Prolific? 



Mr. Wood. I think the Prolific has been one of the best 

 advertised fruits, and I think there has been more fraud and 

 deception in its sale than any other. I believe the Fay cur- 

 rant, if you get it, is so near the Versaillaise that no man can 

 tell them apart. A half a dozen other varieties have been 

 put on the market and sold as Fay's, and there is a great 

 deal of prejudice against them on that account. 



Mr. Stetson. I would like to inquire the remedy for the 

 insect that cuts oif the stalk. 



Mr. Wood. I have never had trouble that amounted to 

 anything. They cut oflf a part of the new growth, — the 

 heading-in of the new growth, which is needed. 



Mr. Stetson. I have quite serious difficulty. I only 

 raise a few. The insects eat ofi* the wood so that in the 

 spring of the year I can frequently pull the old stalk entirely 

 over. 



Mr. Wood. That is on the growth of the previous year? 



Mr. Stetson. Yes, sir. I thought I would like to know 

 if there is any remedy. 



