The Canadian Horticulturist 245 



Keeping Qualities of the Vergennes Grape. — Mr. Watson Orr, of 

 Winona, placed on our table some bunches of this grape on the 23rd of June, 

 samples of a lot which he was just placing on the market. They were in excel- 

 lent condition, as plump and fresh as if just gathered from the vines. Although 

 the quality of this variety is not rich, yet it takes well in the market on account 

 of its rich amber color It is probably the best keeping grape we have. Mr. 

 Orr has not even kept a low temperature in his cellar. He first allowed the 

 stems to dry, then packed the grapes in cork dust. He thinks he could keep 

 them in fair condition until grapes come again. 



Michel's Early Strawberry is well spoken of by Judge Miller, a promi- 

 nent fruit grower of Missouri. He says : " This variety has come to stay. The 

 berry is medium in size, pretty, firm, handsome in color ; has a nice neck to pick 

 or to hull ; carries its fruit well up, ripens eight days before the Crescent, lasts 

 nearly a month, and is in quality among the best ; will probably do away with 

 Crescent." We have it in our experimental grounds at Grimsby, and it bore its 

 first crop this season. We are not particularly struck with it in the matter of 

 size, but certainly it is remarkably early, and this particular merit may make it 

 desirable for the market garden. ' 



Since writing the above we notice this berry being criticized unfavorably in 

 the R. N. Y., as being small, unproductive and very little earher than Crescent. 



Horticulture and Agriculture, as a study in schools, may possibly be 

 in place, but we have grave doubts concerning the beneficial results, unless 

 taught practically. The tendency of our system has always been toward the 

 theoretical ; even natural sciences have been taught entirely from books, giving 

 the pupil no opportunity to become actually acquainted with the metals or plants 

 about which they study. And now gardening and farming is to be taught in the 

 same fashion, and that by persons who perhaps do not know a peach tree from 

 an apple tree, or a Jersey cow from a Durham ! 



In this respect France is far ahead of us, for she has now some 3,000 

 elementary schools where the teachers train boys in practical gardening. Would 

 it not be better for us to leave it out of our lists [unless ^we are prepared to un- 

 dertake it in a similar practical manner ? 



A Market Bulletin will be sent out during August and September to 

 such members of our Association as will send a post card to the Secretary asking 

 for it. Prices current of Toronto, Montreal, London, Buffalo, and the British 

 markets will be quoted. 



