FRUIT committee's REPORT. 37 



It would not be so very bad after all, even though we should devote our 

 crop of cherries to the robin, if he would only be satisfied with that fruit; but 

 not so ; in most gardens, where strawberries are grown, they also must be 

 protected by nets, or the larger and the belter part of the crop of this fruit will 

 follow the cherries. We do not mean to assert that it is not well to suffer all 

 this, for the sake of the good that the robin may do the horticulturist and 

 farmer, but question it, and shall be pleased to see the matter thoroughly 

 investigated, with the determination to ascertain the actual facts in the case. 



RASPBERRIES. 

 It would seem, from the lack of specimens of this fruit, that its cultivation 

 was diminishing with us. Last year we awarded but one premium, and. this 

 year only two. This is a very fine fruit, and coming in as it does just after 

 the strawberry is gone, fills a rather important place. We shall be sorry to 

 see it neglected. Knevett's Giant is the best and leading sort exhibited, 

 though we think the Franconia is grown to some extent for market. Brincklt 's 

 Orange has proved with us to be a valuable variety for home use. 



CURRANTS. 



The show of Currants during the past year has been much the same as in 

 former years. Prominent among the sorts have been La Versaillaise, which is 

 the largest good red currant, and Dana's Transparent, which is the largest 

 white variety. We think, that owing to the high price of sugar, and the low 

 price that the fruit has brought in the market for a year or two past, many 

 persons have dug up and destroyed the currant bushes. If that be so, it is 

 just the time to set out more, for we cannot well do without this fruit, which 

 is capable of being used in so many ways, and which is always so agreeable. 

 The effect of last year's dry weather was plainly visible on the currant bushes 

 this year, and the drought of the past summer must be injurious to currant 

 bushes, as well as other things that stood in dry ground. 



This fruit flourishes best in a rich and rather moist soil. Perhaps no fruit 

 trees or bushes are ever so much neglected as the currant, while it is equally 

 true that none yield more abundantly under generous treatment. 



GOOSEBERRIES. 



Fine specimens of this fruit have been shown on our tables from several 

 contributors, proving most conclusively, that even the larger and well known 

 English varieties may be produced in perfection, with proper cultivation and 

 care. It may be true, that we cannot expect to equal the finest prize goose- 

 berries grown in England, where the climate is much better adapted to the 

 growth and maturity of this fruit than it is with us, but we may reasonably 

 expect, from what we have seen for two or three years past, that this fruit will 

 not be so much neglected in future as it has been heretofore. 



