The Canadian Horticulturist. 26e 



^ NEWS NOTES. 



N currants, the Fay is the largest, and a better cropper than 

 .C herry. Cherry comes next in size; then comes Versailles, 

 which is a better cropper than either of the others. Red 

 Dutch is the best bearer I have, and if given rich soil and 

 good cultivation, is of fair size, but the greatest objection 

 to all of them is that they will not stand up with their load. 

 What we would like is a currant of good size, a good bearer, and one that will 

 stand up. I am told that the Victoria will stand up, but the fruit is no larger 

 than the Red Dutch, and late. The White Grape is a good bearer of good sized 

 fruit, the sweetest currant of all, and the best to eat with sugar and cream. 



In gooseberries, I fruited this year Downing, Smith's Improved, American, 

 Industry, and White Smith. Smith's Improved is a better berry than Downing, 

 but Downing will produce double the quantity of fruit; White Smith, I 

 like better than Industry, but the latter is the best bearer. Last year my Indus- 

 try mildewed badly ; this year I sprayed with a decoction of cedar leaves twice 

 and I have no mildew. Whether I should credit the treatment or the season, I 

 don't know, but the treatment is easy and cheap, and worth trying. I shall try 

 again another year. Gooseberries were a heavy crop with me. I gathered ten 

 bushels off sixty bushes. Currants were also a fine crop. Raspberries are a 

 short crop here. This year Golden Queen are on the market for the first time, 

 and they are all the name implies. When better known they will be more 

 planted. They are the best bearers I have this year, and the best table berry 

 out of four kinds. 



The winter was very severe on grapes. All my Rogers were killed to the 

 snow line, so I will have no fruit on them. Other varieties were more or less 

 injured. Brighton, Concord, A\^orden, Delaware, and Moore's Early are bearing 

 fruit. I thought Champion hardy, but mine was badly injured last winter. It 

 grows by the veranda for shade; alongside of it grows a Moore's Diamond, which 

 was not nearly so much injured as the Champion. So I take it that Diamond 

 is hardy. It had three or four bunches on last year ; the fruit was early, sweet, 

 and melting, but the bunches were not compact. There is no fruit this year! 

 I should think it ripens two weeks before Niagara. 



The \\'illiams' strawberry did well with me this year. I like it better as a 

 cropper than Jessie or Sharpless, but, like them, the fruit is uneven. 



I have planted out a lot of blackberries this spring. I planted Snyder, 

 Ancient Briton, and Agawam, as I consider them all hardy. I would like if 

 some one of your readers, who has had experience in growing blackberries would 

 tell us how to do it successfully. Should they be pinched back, and when ? I 

 also see that some one recommends laying them down, and says that it is not 

 difficult. I wish he would tell us how and when to lay them down, and how 

 and when to get them up again ; the latter being of the most importance. 



There were no cherries this year. Pears will be a poor crop. Very few 

 plums. Apples will be fair crop ; Baldwin's pretty well loaded. 



S/. T/iomas, Oni. \ \\ (^j 



