Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-02-18

| llne samples OF Strawberries. Before
proceeding further, however, | would
say that the details set forth are not in
tended to be "iron-clad rules" but
merely suggestions subject TO modifica-
| ton in accordance with individual sur
roundings, as in all cases good judg-
ment, careful attention and thorough
ness of work will be found to be the
factors that will bring success.
CURRANTs
In exhibition purposes there are four
varieties of currants that need cOnsid-
| Grafton. In red, white, pink and
black, and the object most desirable to
set forth are size and prolificacy. OF
the red varieties the cherry shows the
largest size and Fays show the great
est prolificacy, and closely approaches
the cherry currant in size, while In
white currants the grape is perhaps the
best exhibition berry. The pink varie-
ties are not much cultivated but are
very handsome when exhibited be-
tween punches Of red and white, while
they are not so acid as the red varieties.
The bulk Of the pink varieties Is
| known as the champagne currant.
These are all of "A similar habit of
growth, while the black cuTrant l. ems
tirely different. To obtain fine exhibit
ton currants the general principles 10
be observed are, close pruning, high
fertilization and keeping the soil
around the roots COOL moist and free
from weeds. Therefore select one or
two bushes and prune back fully two
thirds of all the wood, severing such
branches as show the greatest con-
glomeratiOn Of fruit buds, as il is dense,
oil
attractive. Consequently no thinning
of the punches is admissible. The
same effect, however, is accomplished
by severe pruning thus leaving "a
smaller number of fruit spurs to draw
the nutriment from the roots. The
high fertilizing and keeping the roots
cool and moist, are both secured by
heavy mulching with manure, eX-
tending for IA distance of four or five
feet all around the bush. and If the
season Is dry an occasional watering
with "A weak olutiOn of nitrate OF
potash salt peter and water The
black currant may be treated in ex.
actly the same way, only "a IL does not
produce its fruit in such dense punches
as the red and white varieties, the pro-
ductiOn Of large size of individual ber-
ries on the racemes (bunches) Is the
chief object. In harvesting the cur
rant, it is well not to pick the berries,
but cut the stem with the berries at
tached, and they make very handsome
exhibits, If mounted in large Hat glass
jars, either red and white in the same
jar, or separate They also make very
handsome photographs, especially the
red and white, cOntrasted, as when
fully ripe the seeds and pulp show
through the skin in very charming
manner. In consequence Of the liabil-
ity Of the berries being rubbed off in
transportation or handling, | would
strongly suggest TO exhibitors who
have extra handsome specimens, 10
have them photographed before part
ing with them, when they will secure
"A thing Of beauty, which Is Joy for
ever.
THE GoOsEBERRY
The goOseberry, for exhibition, re-
quires the same treatment as the cur.
rant, with some notifications, TO
which | will allude further on. There
are two classes of goOseberries chiefly
in cultivation, the European COM
monty called English) and the Ameri-
can. In the Eastern states the
foreign varieties are so subject to
mildew as TO be rarely cultivated,
and as the American varieties are poor
in flavor and small In size, very few
Americans have any idea Of the size
and lusciousness of the English varie-
ties. As the climate of Whatcom
county Is peculiarly adapted to the
growth Of the choicer varieties of the
gooseberry we should make a showing
with this fruit that will surprise our
Eastern friends. The best varieties for
exhibition are the b gooseberry by
far long way first I'm size) This berry
has been cultivated by Mr.. Burns, Of
Birch Bay, for several years, and as he
has been very generous In giving his
friends cuttings Of IL, there may be
several who have IL In this county who
might contribute exhibits, as it will
create quite sensation at the exhibi-
tion. The origin Of this berry having
been lost, it has recently been named
the b Burns Birch Bay Big Bus
ter gooseberry-aDd IL IL "buster.n
Next, the Industry, Puyallup Mann
moth, BENEFITS Eureka, and Oregon
Champion comprise the chief large
varieties in cultivation in this county.
Sizes Of individual berries being the
chief object for exhibition, the same
treatment, Of close pruning, mulching,
fertilizing, recommended for the cur
rant, should be adopted with this fruit.
Select one bush, pr1ne Off two-thirds Of
the roots, keep the ground cool and
moist by mulching and manuring, and,
If necessary, watering. After the fruit Is
set pick off two-thirds Of the fruit, 80
that not more than one berry will be
! within two inches Of any other berry
on each branch left. Then, in May,
after the fruit Is set, new sprouts Will
start from just above each berry, which
should be nipped off with the thumb
nail, as by 50 doing the nutriment they
would require will be diverted into the
berry. giving 10 an enormous growth.
The terminal branches may, however,
be allowed to shoot up until the fruit
are half grown, or about the middle or
Il end Of June, when the terminal bud