that is winning favor. It more closely resembles the Houghton in its
habit of growth than the Downing, and yet is more vigorous and upright
than its parent. The fruit is considerably larger than the Houghton,
oval, light green, with a bloom, moderately firm, sweet and good.

Mountain Seedling, originating with the Shakers at Lebanon, New York,
is the largest of the American varieties, but for some reason it does
not gain in popularity.

Cluster, or American Red, is a variety of unknown origin. The
ancestral bush may have been found in the woods. The fruit is scarcely
as large as that of the Houghton, is darker in color when fully ripe,
hangs long on the bush, and is sweet and good. Mr. P. Barry says that
it never mildews. Therefore, it should be made one of the parents of
new varieties, for in this direction lies the future of this fruit in
America.

In support of this opinion, I am led to quote the following letter,
recently received:

"I write to call your attention to a native variety of gooseberry, of
which you make no mention in your 'Scribner Papers,' growing in great
abundance in the Sierra Nevada, at an elevation of from 2,000 to 3,000
feet, often in the most exposed places, generally on northern slopes.
Thinking it may not have come to your knowledge, I will describe it.
The bush is of stiff, erect habit, two to three feet high, a stocky
grower and an abundant bearer. The berries vary from one-half to one
and one-quarter inches in diameter, are covered with innumerable
thorns, scarcely less savage in the green state than those on an
ordinary wild bush of this country. When cooked, the prickles soften