August 15, 1894.] 



Garden and Forest. 



327 



berry is ten-celled and contains ten seeds, each enclosed with- 

 in the hard cell walls, which thus form little sharp-edged 

 nutlets, popularly called seeds. 



One of the greatest objections generally made to the com- 

 mon Huckleberry, Gaylussacia resinosa, is the prevalence of 

 the hard little seeds or nutlets in the fruit. Otherwise, this 

 clear shining black fruit is generally found agreeable and pal- 

 atable and popular in the market. The quality of the fruit 

 varies considerably in different localities and on different indi- 

 vidual plants, offering a great opportunity for improvement 



It is of good size and rather soft and juicy, so that its ten seeds 

 are not so much noticed when the fruit is eaten. Though 

 small, the plant is prolific.but does not seem so vigorous and fast- 

 growing as the normal black-fruited type. In the Bull. Torrey 

 Bot. Club, vol. xvi., p. 21, it is stated that in one season in Pike 

 County, Pennsylvania, twenty bushels of wild white or cream- 

 colored berries " were gathered and sold for almost three 

 times the price of the ordinary kind." 



The Huckleberry responds quickly in regard to size, quality 

 and productiveness when brought under cultivation, and im- 



Fig. 53. — Chionanthu3 retusa. — See page 325. 



by cultivation and selection. Improvements in the direction 

 of fewer seeds and increase in size are most to be desired and 

 should not be difficult of attainment. On account of difference 

 in size the seedy character of the fruits of some wild plants is 

 much less noticeable than it is in others. Another direction 

 tending to popularize the fruit may be found in selecting and 

 growing the light-colored or so-called white-fruited varieties 

 occasionally found. A specimen growing in the Arboretum 

 has dull reddish white fruit, or purplish red on one side and 

 pale on the other, with thin skin and a sweet, pleasant flavor. 



proved plantations of it may yet be found to pay well, although 

 the profits may not be so great as with the Cranberry in its 

 best seasons. The Huckleberry will grow in any ordinary 

 garden-soil in regions where plants of this family thrive 

 naturally, but a sandy soil with a good addition of peat will 

 suit it best. 



While this species grows naturally in both dry and moist 

 situations, we have another closely allied species which is 

 more restricted to damp grounds, although it will do well 

 under drier conditions of cultivation. This is Gaylussacia 



