FRUITS THAT PROMISE WELL. 27 



very successfully by the originator ; it is most productive and the 

 quality is from fair to good — about on a par with the Sharpless. 

 It is a late variety, with fine flesh, and keeps remarkably well. 

 The Jewell is perhaps a little better in quality than the Belmont, 

 and the size compares favorably with that of the Sharpless, while 

 the form is better. Judging from the plants shown here last sum- 

 mer, it is very prolific, and it makes very strong runners. 



Of the newer raspberries the Cuthbert is most popular and is 

 becoming generally cultivated. The only new currant is Fay's 

 Prolific, which in vigor and size of fruit does not compare favor- 

 ably with the Versaillaise. 



Hon. Marshall P. Wilder said that we live in an age of enter- 

 prise and progress in originating and introducing new fruits ; and 

 though many of them prove of little value the spirit which leads 

 to this work is commendable. Many kinds once popular have dis- 

 appeared or are disappearing, and their places must be supplied. 

 In New England the interest in collecting pears has been so great 

 that forty years ago A. J. Downing called it a mania. Over a 

 thousand kinds have been tested ; many have proved of no value, 

 but from among these collections have come the fine kinds which 

 stand out like stars in American pomolog}'. Some supposed new 

 kinds have turned out to be old ones ; like the Bai'onne de Mello, 

 a variety of high quality, which was discovered last season by 

 persons who thought it new. Among other fine varieties which 

 have not been appreciated are the fimile d' Heyst and the Water- 

 loo ; th8 General Warren, supposed to be a seedling of the late 

 Francis Dana, proves to be identical with the latter. Mr. Wilder 

 suggested that premiums should be offered for the resuscitation of 

 fine old varieties. He considered the Washington Strawberry 

 apple fully equal in beauty to the Gravenstein, and only second 

 to it in quality. He could not agree with Mr. Wood in regard 

 to the Eogers grapes. The Barry, Wilder, and others succeed 

 with him almost as well as an}' varieties except the Concord and 

 Moore's Early. Charles Downing preferred the Wilder to any 

 other native grape. The Lindlc}' is superior even to the Delaware ; 

 he showed it to eleven connoisseurs, nine of whom pronounced it 

 best. It is a variety which we cannot dispense with. In some 

 seasons the Rogers hybrids may mildew, but in others they do not. 

 The speaker said, however, that his grapes have a very favorable 

 location. He admired Mr. AVood's good taste in retaining the 



