304 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



In this c'onneclion we will try to answer a few questions which 

 are frequently' asked of us in regard to small fruits, in doing 

 which we have requested the assistance of Mr. Benjamin G. Smith, 

 whom we all know as a successful grower of small fruits. 



1. What varieties of Hardy Grapes would you advise the 

 amateur cultivator to plant for his own family use? Answer — 

 After my experience in the cultivation of fift3--seven hardy varie- 

 ties of native grapes, 1 consider most desirable Moore's Earh', 

 Brighton, Lindley, Wilder, Barry, Salem, and Lady. 



2. What varieties of Strawberries would 3'ou advise the 

 amateur cultivator to plant for his own family use? Ansiver — 

 Belmont, Sharpless, Charles Downing, and Hervey Davis. The 

 last is of the highest quality but not a vigorous grower. 



3. Has the cultivation of the Gooseberry been a success with 

 you ? if so, what are the varieties you recommend and the cultiva- 

 tion you give? Ansiver — Native varieties. Smith's Improved and 

 Charles Downing. Foreign varieties, Whitesmith, Bang-up, 

 Wellington's Glory, and Glenton Green. Mr. Smith says that 

 in England there are over six hundred varieties, named and 

 catalogued, many of which no doubt are as good as the above. 

 He further says, "My experience with both the Native and 

 Foreign varieties is very satisfactory. The idea has generally 

 been held that the cultivation of foreign gooseberries should not 

 be encouraged ; but my success these past fifteen years has been 

 all that I could desire, as I have not failed of an abundant crop 

 in any year. In order to secure this, I have considered their 

 requirements in location, cultivation, and general management, 

 the soil being underdrained and subsoiled with a liberal quantity 

 of barn-yard manure to the depth of twenty-four inches. Foreign 

 gooseberries will not endure the mid-day heat of our summer sun, 

 and my plants are therefore placed where the}' receive only the 

 morning and late afternoon sun. They are gross feeders and 

 require a liberal dressing annuallj' of barn-yard manure. I prac- 

 tice severe pruning and thinning." 



4. Has j'our cold graper}' been a success and given you 

 general satisfaction? Answer — A cold grapery I would recom- 

 mend to any one who possesses sufficient interest to give it atten- 

 tion. My house is a lean-to about forty feet in length and 

 thirteen or fourteen feet wide, built twenty years ago, since 

 ^which time it has proved a complete success. In three years 



