Gooseberries. 



229 



Houghton Seedling Gooseberry. 



Cynosbati is found in the rocky woods of the 

 North, is downy-leaved, with slender peduncle, 

 stamens and undivided style not exceeding the 

 broad calyx ; large berry, usually prickly. 



R. Lacustre, Lake or Swamp Gooseberry, with 

 the prickly stems of the gooseberry, but with a 

 raceme of flowers like those of a currant ; found in 

 the cold bogs and wet woods of the North ; small, 

 bristly berries, of unpleasant flavor. 



Last, but by no means the least, is the Ribes Hirtellum, " commonest 

 in our Eastern States, seldom downy, with very short thorns or none, very 

 short peduncles, stamens and two-cleft style scarcely longer than the bell- 

 shaped calyx; and the smooth berry is purple, small and sweet." (Gray.) 

 This is the parent of the most widely known of our native varieties, the 

 Houghton Seedling, named from its originator, Abel Houghton, of Lynn, 

 Massachusetts. The bush is a vigorous grower, that will thrive, with decent 

 culture, on any moderately good soil, and is very rarely injured by mildew. 

 At the same time, it improves greatly under high culture and pruning. 

 The bush has a slender and even weeping habit of growth, and can be 

 propagated readily by cuttings. From the Houghton have been grown 

 two seedlings that now are justly the most popular. 



The first and best of these is the Downing, originated by Mr. Charles 

 Downing, of Newburgh. It is an " upright, vigorous-growing plant, 

 very productive. Fruit somewhat larger than the Houghton, roundish- 

 oval, whitish-green, with the rib veins distinct. Skin smooth. Flesh rather 

 soft, juicy." I consider this the best and most profitable variety that 

 can be generally grown in this country. In flavor, it is excellent. I have 

 had good success with it whenever I have given it fair culture. It does 



