320 Bush-Fruits 



of the Lancashire weavers. The production of new varie- 

 ties, and the increase in size, has been greatly stimulated 

 by the annual shows or "gooseberry prize meetings," at 

 which liberal prizes are offered for the largest fruits. The 

 results of these are published in the "Gooseberry Annual," 

 now forming an extensive set. At the beginning of the 

 century the largest fruits seldom exceeded 10 dwts. in 

 weight, but in recent years they frequently exceed 30 dwts. 

 Size is not the only quality sought; some sorts are prized 

 for their flavor, some for their beauty, and others for their 

 productiveness. There is also a wide diversity in the 

 season of ripening among different sorts. 



The history of the American gooseberry in cultivation 

 began with the Houghton, which was raised from seed of 

 a wild plant by Abel Houghton, of Lynn, Massachusetts, 

 in 1833. It is significant that the most reliable American 

 sort, and the one most generally cultivated at the present 

 time, is but one generation removed from this, being a 

 seedling of it. 



What the gooseberry of the future will be no one can 

 say, but it is certain to be largely what we make it. It 

 seems safe to predict that it will not come from England. 

 Adaptability to climate, with consequent resistance to 

 disease, and quality of the fruit, are in favor of American 

 species. We have given the gooseberry too little atten- 

 tion, and much of that has been on the wrong basis in 

 trying to develop seedlings of the English varieties. The 

 gooseberry as now grown is objectionable on account of 

 its thorns. Yet there are forms comparatively free from 

 these uncomfortable additions, and careful, persuasive 

 treatment ought to induce the plants to relinquish them 



