2 Improvement of small Fruits by Hybridizing. 



ness, firmness, and good carrying properties, but too poor in quality, 

 and of bad color, and needing to be supplemented by some variety pos- 

 sessing the fine color and quality in which the Wilson is deficient. 

 Who can doubt that skilfijl crossing of two such varieties would speed- 

 ily give us such an improvement in the Wilson as many years of hap- 

 hazard sowing would fail to produce? In the first case, we should 

 know just what tools we were working with ; in the second, we should 

 be dependent wholly on chance. The flavor of the Hautbois strawberry 

 is admired by many persons, but all the varieties of that class aVe of 

 small size. There is no doubt, however, that by crossing with the 

 larger varieties new sorts may be produced combining this peculiar 

 flavor with large size of fruit, as well as other desirable qualities. 



As another example, suppose the Hornet raspberry — a large, firm, 

 and handsome variety, but often deficient in flavor — were crossed with 

 the Brinckle's Orange — a variety of first-rate excellence, but having a 

 soft berry. This combination would probably overcome the latter diffi- 

 culty, and produce a sort, on tlie whole, better than either. In a hun- 

 dred seedlings we might find some combining the softness of the 

 Orange with the deficient flavor of the Hornet ; but there would be an 

 equal chance of an equal number combining the most desirable quali- 

 ties of the two parents, giving us a variety at once large, handsome, 

 firm, and of fine flavor. 



We think there is no more promising field for improvement among 

 our small fruits than with the gooseberry, of which we have but few 

 varieties adapted to our climate. These are all accidental seedlings 

 from our native species, and generally of small size ; but we know of 

 no reason why we should not improve them in size and flavor by cross- 

 ing with the English varieties, while retaining the hardiness and free- 

 dom from mildew of the natives. 



In regard to the currant, we now have varieties of good size ; but 

 the larger sorts are not equal in flavor to smaller kinds like the old 

 Dutch varieties. We want to combine with the size of the Cherry and 

 Versailles the quality of the White Dutch and other sweeter kinds, 

 thereby producing a variety which shall be fitted for the table without 

 the use of sugar. 



We might prolong these remarks by allusion to other small fruits ; 

 but having established the principles, we leave them to be applied to 

 the other species by our readers. Why may we not secure varieties of 

 these small fruits which shall be as universally popular as some of those 

 of the large fruits, such as the Bartlett pear } It is possible ; yea, not 

 only possible, but probable. It is more than probable : it is certain 

 Try, try again ; work on, and you will win. 



