398 BUSH-FRUITS 



The history of the American gooseberry in cultiva- 

 tion began with the Houghton, which was raised from 

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

 Mass., 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 attention, 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 treat- 

 ment ought to induce the plants to relinquish them 

 altogether. An English variety has been recently 

 introduced which is said to be thornless. The fruit 

 of our species is, in most cases, perfectly smooth, 

 while that of the English gooseberry is roughly 

 pubescent, if not hairy or prickly also. 



There are at least three other species, Ribes Cynos- 

 bati, R. rotimdifolium and R. gracile, which might well 

 receive attention in the way of selection and crossing, 

 with a view to future development. All have good 

 points to recommend them. The fruit of Ribes Cynos- 

 bati is commonly much larger than that of R. oxya- 



