VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS OF NORWAY. 261 



GOOSEBERRY (Ribes Grossularia, L. " Stikkelebfer "). Isfotmd 

 wild here and there in lowlands up to lat. 63. In a cultivated 

 state it will ripen up to lat. 6G. 



GRAPE (Vitis vinifera, L. " Viinranke "). Many varieties are 

 grown against walls in the south of Norway. In average 

 summer's grapes will ripen as far north as lat. 61. Bunches 

 weighing one pound have been known near Christiania. The 

 flavour is rather inferior. The most favourite varieties are the 

 Isabella and Catawba. 



(Vitis Lalrusca, L.). In some old Norwegian documents 

 relating to events that took place in the year 1000, mention 

 of American grapes is made. It appears that some of the 

 Norwegians had discovered that continent ; and penetrating as far 

 as Massachusetts, found vines growing there. They called the 

 country " Viinland." 



HAZEL NUT (Corylus Avellanea, L. "Hassel"). Grows wild, 

 and is found ripe as far north as lat. 66 ; under lat. 63 it attains 

 an altitude of 1,000 feet above the sea. 



The cob-nut and red and white filbert are only to be found in 

 the south. 



MEDLAR (Mespilus germanica, L. " Mispel "). In places near 

 Frederickshald and Christiania. The fruit ripens in average 

 summers. 



MULBERRY (Aforus alba and nigra, L. " Morbartrse "). Both 

 thrive near Christiania, but the latter only yields ripe fruit. 



PEACH (Persica vtdyaris, D.C. " Fersken "). Will ripen 

 against walls up to lat. 61. 



PEAR (Pyrus communis, L. "Pasre"). Does not grow in a 

 wild state. About 66 different varieties of the finer sorts are 

 cultivated in the country. Near Sorfjord, in Hardanger, there is 

 a "Bergamotte rouge" 48 feet high, and measuring in cir- 

 cumference (3 feet above the ground) 4 feet 2 inches. It has 

 been known to yield 11 to 12 bushels. 



PLUM (Primus domestica, L. "Blomme"). Does not grow 

 wild. About 22 varieties, probably more, are cultivated, some 

 of which will ripen (e.g., the greengage) as standards, and against 

 walls as far north as lat. 64. It should be borne in mind that 

 the word " ripen " is used in a botanical sense, viz., that the fruit 

 is perfectly developed. In the usually accepted sense, a ripe plum 

 at this latitude would not perhaps be all that could be desired ! 



