The season of 1884 cannot be classed as a successful one for the small fruit grower and orchard-ist. The spring was unusually backward, and hard frosts continued until nearly June; that of May 30th being the most severe ever known at that season of the year. The early strawberries were in full bloom and those of the older varieties that withstood the freezing best with us were the Crescent. Of the new varieties the Manchester came out best and bore a handsome crop of smooth fine berries, and of the tested varieties this promises to become a leading berry in the market. The Old Ironclad and Piper seemed to be much injured by the frost. We planted our first Atlantic and James Vick in the spring of 1884, both varieties run well and have the appearance of being hardy and vigorous. Of the newer raspberries the Cuthbert is far the most vigorous and is everywhere giving satisfaction. The Han-sell does not seem to be so vigorous, but it ripens early and the fruit is so good that it must become a favorite with fruit growers. Of the cap varieties the Louhegan is much esteemed and promises to be one of the best. The Early Harvest blackberry was killed to the ground last winter. It has made a fair growth the past season, and if it winters without killing may prove of value.

The Snyder has thus far proved the best blackberry for the North and is growing in favor from year to year. We saw the first New Hampshire grown Keiffer's Hybrid pears the past autumn exhibited at one of our local fairs, but as they were not matured we cannot give an estimate of their worth. Tree agents have been selling large numbers of the Russian mulberry, representing it as of great value as an orchard fruit and the tree as fine for shade and timber. We have two small trees, sent us from Minnesota. They do not show remarkable vigor and at their present rate of growth will be long in making timber trees. At one dollar and fifty cents each (the price asked by tree agents), we should not invest largely. Fruit growing is progressing slowly at the North; an indication of this advancement is the better culture that growers are giving their orchards.

Dover, N. H.