FITMASTON CHAMPAGNE. 
the task ; but we are not to stop short at what may seem per- 
fection in the mere growth, that is, the sowing and reaping, the 
mere planting and gathering of vegetables ; for since they ai'e 
every one capable of being improved, it is doubtless expected 
that we should employ the talent given us in carrjdng out the 
intentions of their Creator — of advancing each of them in the 
scale of beings to which they belong. Apples have been raised, 
by human agency, from Crabs ; Plums, from Sloes ; sweet 
Cherries, from bitter ones ; garden vegetables, from insignifi- 
cant weeds; and agricultural seeds — even Wheat, which is but a 
mere grass, we ourselves have proved to be subject, by hybiidi- 
sation, to the same laws of change and improvement : indeed, 
as we observed, change is infinite, and encouragement to well- 
directed exertion, in behalf of these improvements, is offered 
us at every step, by increased fertility, and an apparent advance 
of nature. Still, we would not be supposed to advocate the 
views of the author of the “Vestiges of Creation;” who sets 
forth, that the j) resent perfection of this world, and its entire 
contents, have arisen by successive degrees, from the operation 
of natural laws, which now are, as they ever have been, in regu- 
lar operation. 
We have been led to these rellections by the subject before 
us, — an improved valuable garden jiroduction, raised by John 
Williams, Esq., of Pitmaston, between that variety of Goose- 
beri’y known in our gardens as the Pied Champagne, and one 
of the robust North American species, with strong double 
spines, and small black astringent berries. The flowers of the 
Champagne were fertilized with the pollen of the American 
plant, the name of the species being now unknown, its cul- 
tivation having been discontinued on account of the supe- 
riority of its offspring. The produce of this cross, inherited 
too much of the quality of the exotic plant, therefore seedlings, 
without hybridisation, were subsequently raised from it ; and 
amongst these, two or three possess valuable properties. That 
which, by the obliging attentions of Mr. Williams, we now 
publish, has the rich sweetness of the Champagne Gooseberry, 
combined with a little of the Black-Currant-like aroma of the 
North American parent. The chief peculiarities exhibited by 
the bush, are its luxuriant spreading growth, as it promises to 
become four times the size of a common Gooseberry -bush, and its 
having very strong spines, some nearly an inch long. The fruit 
is small, as we have shown, but very abundant ; and it ripens 
and remains long on the trees in its mature state. 
