72 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



white variety we have ever cultivated is the Dana's Transparent, 

 to which we have just referred — a variety which was raised by 

 Francis Dana, of Roxbury. We have found none better in 

 quality than our old favorites the Red and White Dutch, but 

 the larger varieties command a better price and a more ready 

 sale in the market. The currant delights in a deep, rich, heavy 

 soil and clean culture. How often do we see the grass growing 

 among the currants, which are put away into some neglected 

 nook or corner, while they deserve better treatment. It is a 

 good plan to mulch them, for the bushes are often unfavorably 

 affected by dry weather. Tlie gooseberry shall receive but a 

 passing notice, though it deserves a higher place on the list of 

 summer fruits than we Americans have ever been inclined to 

 give it. One reason why, is because the larger and liner for- 

 eign varieties have never succeeded well in this country, and 

 until somewhat recently there were no American sorts of merit. 

 Now we have the Houghton's Seedling, which, though small, is 

 good. The Mountain Seedling, a larger variety, but of poorer 

 quality. The Downing, a large and fine white variety, which 

 we regard as the best sort in successful cultivation. When we 

 come to appreciate gooseberries as our English cousins do, we 

 shall make greater efforts to secure new and improved sorts. 

 The blackberry is entitled to consideration here, though we 

 believe its cultivation on the whole has never been very profit- 

 able in Massachusetts. It is a very rich and delicious fruit, and 

 one admired by all. Until within a few years the pastures and 

 mountain-sides were relied upon to furnish this fruit ; but when 

 the Dorchester was introduced, and later the Lawton, planta- 

 tions of blackberries were made by the acre, and the markets 

 were supplied to some extent with finer specimens of this fruit 

 than had ever greeted our eyes before. Since that time we 

 have had many new varieties added to the list, among which 

 are some that will prove valuable. The Kittatinny and Wil- 

 son's Early are among the number. Still later we have received 

 the Wachuset and Dodge's Thornless, two varieties almost 

 wholly free from thorns. We have seen and tested the fruit of 

 the Wachuset, and though it is not of tlie largest size, it is of 

 excellent quality. One of the greatest objections to cultivating 

 this fruit, has been the difficulty with which the berries were 

 picked and the bushes managed on account of the thorns. In 



