Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-03-17
FRIDAY, MARCH. II. 1876.

highly coveted fruit. A little stratagem,
however, in the way Of using pair Of thick
gloves will readily prove the superiority Of
mind over matter, or Of man over the vege-
table kingdom. It is surprising what feel
ing Of equauimity and exaltatiOn seems to
possess one as thus encased you proceed with
perfect ease to strip the hostile plants Of
their treasures. When gloves nre not at
hand il little care is taken to raise the
limbs separately with one hand, meanwhile
picking carefully with the other, then the
much dreaded ihorns will prove near akin
to friends, and what appeared to be rugged
mountains in the way at 6rst, will upon
nearer approach turn out to bo rounding
slopes, The fruit Of this variety is quite
large, two or three times the size Of the
"Houghton," aud is of excellent quality
either for cooking or table use. Their
color--a pale green or whitsh green, and
smooth skin with rib veins distinctly marked,
makes them Of special value for table
fruit, used either alone or interspersed with
their more highly cOlored kinsmen, the
"Houghtons." As the downing" becomes
more generally known it will make many
friends. Its flavor, as well as juicy and ten
der flesh will make it favorits for family
use. Then its abundant foliage serves to
keep the fruit from being scalded or burnt
by the sun, and the shade formed helps TO
retain the dampness in the soil and conse-
quently increase the size Of the fruit. The
plants will be found to be abundant and
regular bearers and not affected by mildew.
Smiths Improved" is another compare.
lively new Seeding gooseberry. A younger
brother as it were OF the downing" as it
also was grown from the seed Of the "HOugh.
ton" claiming, however, the state Of Ver-
mot as the land of its birth. In habits Of
growth it is similar to the "HoughtOn,"
though possibly little stouter and of more
upright form. 1t is unus ually productive
when we'll cared for, aud should be placed
in the best situation aud given rich aud
thorough cultivation. 1t will then show
a desirable result for its treatment and will
we'll repay the extra care bestowed upon it.
The fruit is large, somewhat oval in form !;
of pale yellow or greenish yellow color ;
thin skin flesh moderately fine and Of ex-
cellent quality, not surpassed by any Of the
American varieties. The plants ripen their
fruit earlier than the others, and by planting
them with the "Downng" and "Houghton'
the season can be very much extended.
This also is free from the habit Of midew.
ing, is hardy and healthy, and can certainly
be called great acquisition to every gar.
den.
"Houghtons Seeding" This though
named last in this list is more widely knowr
and more generally cultivated as yet thar
either Of the other two, as the others hav'
hardly been before the public a suficien
length Of time to have their merits full
known; still the "Houghtou" is highly price
by many Notwithstanding its inferior siZ
(small to medium) as its wonderful produc
tiveness gives it very prominent place
and makes it desirable variety for HON,
use or market. Its branches at times seen
to be literally covered with frnit; one beinI
wedged in against its neighbor until there il
hardly room for another. This sort i
largely planted for market--the berries be
ing stripped while green from the branche
with gloved hands. any leaves or twigs tha
may be pulled of being afterwards s5para
ted. The fruit is roundish oval in shape
of pale red color; skin smooth and slender
flesh swec. aud very good, The plants ar
of vigorous growth branches tender an
; dropping hardy, healthy and not incline
to mildew We find upon observation, thO
it is not always the great, but rather th
useful ones that do the most good, and lsay
the world better than they found it; and 4
: il is in the case OF the "Houghton." Wit
few features to make it remarkable, it hal
nevertheless, almost superseded and drive
from the land its mighty English cousin
: won hosts OF friends, and nearly revolution
ized the cultivation of this berry in our ga
den.
The goOseberry can be grown on nearl
all kiads of soil if naturally deep or we
trenched, and will be found to be quite
'f valuable addition to the list of fruits whic
lr are worthy of cultivation. Obtain reliab
r plants, set them three or four feet apart, o.
y rich the ground WE'LL cultivate thorough
'e and you will be well repaid for the eIPen
v incurred, and time and labor expended
lr growing them. Il. II. HAINEs.
r. Maldea.on. Hudson, N. Y.
n