SMALL FRUITS. 45 



merit is its thornless character, rendering it admirable 

 even in small ^rardens and amoncj ornamental shrubs. It 

 is also several days earlier than the older and well-knoM^n 

 varieties. This is certainly an acquisition. 



Surprise. — From Samuel Miller, of Avon, Pa. Also the 

 Fancy., supposed to be a seedling of the Surprise. The 

 first is a remarkably large variety of this class ; the latter 

 is not fully tested. 



There are two new varieties announced in Europe, and 

 offered for sale by Ferdinand Gloede, through his agent, 

 C. Raoux, 42 Cedar Street, New York. The Princess 

 Alice, raised by Cutbash, said to be a fine, large, red vari- 

 ety. Surpasse Merveille, raised by Simon Louis, said to be 

 an imj^rovement on the old Merveille des 4 Saisons. 



CURRANTS. 



Since the introduction of the Cherry and White Grape 

 Currant, progress with this fruit appears to have been at an 

 end. New varieties have been announced, but superior 

 merits are wanting in all of them. There is certainly room 

 for improvement, for the Cherry is too acid, and the White 

 Grape too poor a grower. It is a pity that our horticultu- 

 rists do not give their attention to the improvement of our 

 native species. In their natural state they are the largest 

 currants known, and the time will come when new varie- 

 ties from them will be produced that will supersede all 

 others. The Deseret, a variety of the Missouri Currant, 

 is of enormous size, slightly sub-acid, with quite an agree- 

 able flavor. It is a good stock from Avliich to produce 

 new and superior varieties. A hybrid between this and 



