Notes and Gleanings. 355 



A few climatic statistics extending over the wliole or a part of the twenty 

 years since the Isabella and even the Catawba yielded abundantly, uncared for, 

 would be very important at this time, as they might throw some light on the 

 difficulty. How is our climate changing ? and how is it affecting vegetation ? are 

 important questions. 



The Wilson 'j Early Blackberry. — How rapidly is the list of varieties of the 

 blackberry being increased ! It seems but yesterday that the old '• Dorchester" 

 made its timid call upon the public, modestly claiming merit enough to be in- 

 cluded among the kinds of small fruits worthy cultivation. Scarcely had it be- 

 come generally recognized, ere a rival variety appeared in the Lawton, or New 

 Rochelle, quickly followed by Newman's Thornless, the White, — what a misno- 

 mer ! — Cutter's, Holcomb, Kittatinny, the Wilson's Early (so finely figured in 

 the Journal for November), and undoubtedly many others familiar to you, Mr. 

 Editor, but unknown to me. 



You may esteem me fastidious ; but I dislike a white blackberry. Its dull, 

 flesh-pale color is not only unattractive, but, as I regard it, unnatural. For one, 

 I should prefer to give up some measure of quality, rather than to substitute any 

 color for the rich, glossy black the grains of the fruit put on in their full matu- 

 rity, looking as thougli carved from jet itself 



I am satisfied, however, that the plant should not be recommended for small 

 enclosures. It increases rapidly, and, rambling about one's premises, makes 

 itself altogether too familiar, — along my terraces, in my grape-border, among 

 my bedding-plants, associating with my raspberries, visiting my patches of peas 

 and potatoes ; in short, turn which way I will, there is the ubiquitous blackberr3\ 

 Depend upon it, Mr. Editor, no species of small fruit can be more easily grown. 

 Once well established, be it in a neglected corner or otherwise, and I assure 

 you, you will raise blackberries nolens volens. 



The Mexican Ever-Bearing Strawberry . — Yes, I remember the Stoddard's 

 Alpine ; and I have not the slightest doubt that Mr. Campbell is correct, and 

 that the Mexican will follow in the track of that and Higley's and Newland's. 

 But, even allowing it to be a new variety, bear in mind that the season just past 

 has been exceptionally favorable at the West to such fruits as this is claimed to 

 be ; and that the crops which have been reported could not be expected in a dry 

 season, or even one of average moisture. And then, again, supposing it to be all 

 that is claimed for it ; supposing it will produce a fair crop every year : it is an 

 indisputable fact, — which, however, people are just beginning to recognize, — that 

 no fruit is much relished after the ordinary season is past ; and no ever-bearing 

 berry whatever has presented sufficient inducements to plant it on a large scale. 

 Take the ever-bearing raspberries, for instance. Who plants them.? Why, a 

 few people who fancy them, but a most insignificant minority of the berry-grow- 

 ers. Are they ever seen in the market ? I never heard of them there. So, 

 plant the Mexican Ever-Bearing Strawberry if you will, but plant it cautiously. 



Bresee's No. 5 Potato. — Mr. Bresee's success in the production of seedling- 

 potatoes has certainly been most remarkable. I think some one has pronounced 

 them "an agricultural wealth ; " and such they now give every promise of being 

 to our country. 



