66 



present proprietor, and inheriting the taste of his father, has 

 given his place a local reputation for its fine fruit for many 

 years. Among the known varieties many seedlings were per- 

 mitted to grow, and there are now natural pears, peaches, and 

 apples on the place, that are very valuable, as w^ell as a seedling 

 raspberry that promises better than anything I have yet seen. 



"But the seedling gooseberry which I brought to your office 

 is perhaps the fruit of the greatest promise. For many years I had 

 been struck by the remarkable size and fairness of these goose- 

 berries, and supposed that they were some very fine English 

 variety that by some good fortune had not mildewed. Sometime 

 ago I expressed my surprise to Mr. Roe that his gooseberries 

 were so free from rust and then learned for the first time that 

 they were a seedling variety, which originated on his place more 

 than fifteen years ago, and that they never had mildewed. I at 

 once concluded tliat if it could be made to do as well elsewhere, 

 it would be a great advance upon any variety of this berry I had 

 yet seen. The bush is a very strong grower, and perfectly hardy. 

 The variety will be thoroughly tested in various soils and local- 

 ities, and the best judges satisfied as to its character, before it is 

 sent out. Thus' far I have never seen a more abundant bearer, 

 the fruit being hlrge, green, and fine flavored when ripe." 



It is a chance seedling, and nothing is known concerning its 

 parentage. 



I have found by experience that the plant is readily propagated 

 by cuttings, and I have now quite a large number of young 

 bushes raised in this way without extra care — no more than I 

 have given to currant slips. Some young bushes have borne 

 fruit on my Cornwall place, with no trace of mildew. I shall 

 be able to test the variety A^ery fully the coming season, and 

 will accuratel}' report the results whether favorable or the 

 reverse. The plants will not be for sale before next fall, and 

 perhaps not until the following year. 



