2. Cherries

What are the best six varieties of Cherry for family use, and also for market purposes? and the best method of cultivation?

Mr. Downing was called upon for his opinion, when he remarked that Coe's Transparent was an excellent Cherry for family use. Belle de Choisy was better, but a poor bearer. May Duke was one of the best for market. He would also recommend Great Bigarreau and Kirtland's Mary, and would speak well of Gov. Wood, but it is so liable to rot. Early Richmond is a very useful cherry. Early Prolific is a good early cherry, and a great bearer. Ripens with Belle d'Orleans.

Mr. Coppock of Erie Co.: Coe's Transparent for market are the most profitable; very good indeed. Black Tartarian, Yellow Spanish, Elton, Black Eagle, and May Duke.

Mr. Bissell, of Monroe Co., for earliest, wished Early Purple Guigne, and afterward Elton, Rockport Bigarreau, Coe's Transparent, Belle de Choisy, May Duke.

Mr. Hoag, of Niagara Co., named the old American Black Heart, which this year had borne ten bushels of fruit, selling readily at $3 per bushel; tree is always productive; fruit perfect, never wormy, jet black in color, and in texture soft and melting. Belle Magnifique is a fine late cherry for bottling - retains its shape and flavor admirably.

Mr. Jos. Frost, of Monroe Co., remarked that Coe's Transparent, at the Genesee Valley Horticultural Society, took the first premium for the best quart. Mr. F. thought that Belle de Choisy was one of our best desert cherries, and when the tree obtains age it bears well; but as for cultivation, Mr. Frost spoke very strongly in favor of trees on the Mabaleb stock. Dwarfed in this way they are far hardier than as standards, and are particularly desirable in the vicissitudes of our climate at the West. The tree is more bushy, and in form much preferable, while the fruit can be much easier gathered, and is actually much larger and finer than on standards. Besides this, the trees bear fruit earlier, and for small gardens the Duke and Morello varieties are particularly desirable on Mahaleb stock.

Mr. Downing spoke of Vail's August Duke as a variety highly thought of for a late sort, ripening about the last of July, and also said that on Mahaleb stock, cherries were better than as standards.

Mr. Townsend, of Niagara Co., would add that a soil of moderate fertility should in all cases be chosen to plant cherry-trees upon, and although the ground should be cultivated well, and all weeds kept away, it should not be too much stimulated by manures. On the Mahaleb stock the cherry-trees are not subject to so many vicissitudes as on standards. The wood is more dense and less subject to winter injuries, while the trees begin to bear at three years of age, and the size and quality of the fruit are very much improved.

3. The Raspberry

" What are the best varieties of Raspberry for market, and which the best for family use, hardiness and productiveness considered? "

Mr. Downing preferred Brinckltfr Orange for family use - is as hardy as any raspberry; Hudson River Red Antwerp for market - berry solid and carries well to market All raspberry plants need to have the cane bent down and a little earth thrown on. Red Prolific is a red berry resembling the Black Cap in many respects, and far better in flavor. The Allen Rasp- berry has so many suckers that it is a real nuisance in a garden.

Mr. Joseph Frost coucurred in what Mr. Downing had said about Brinckle's Orange, and in all his experience had found none so great a favorite.

Mr. Jas. Vick remarked, that letters from the West said that they considered Brinckle's Orange their only good bearer. .

Mr. Fish repeated that unless Brinckle's Orange and Hudson River Antwerp are regularly protected in winter, they will die back; but for market the only good sort is the improved American Black Cap, commonly called the Doolittle Raspberry. This sort bears carrying better than any other variety known.

Mr. Hoag stated that five years ago he planted out a large assortment of varieties, but after cultivating them all with care and attention for three years, he removed all of them except Brinckle's Orange for family use. All of the sorts do, however, require some degree of protection. The American Yellow Cap has the same qualities as the Black Cap, and is improved very much in size and quality by cultivation.

Mr. Herendeen stated that his partner, J. J. Thomas, had tried the Allen faithfully, but does not like it.

Mr. Glen had tested the Allen Raspberry and exterminated it - had between two and three acres of Doolittle Raspberry - planted four feet by six, and they yielded more quarts of fruit to the acre than any strawberry - would bear shipping to any distance, and were very nice indeed - were larger and finer, and not so seedy as the common American Black Cap.

Mr. Moody liked them very much for market and for putting up in cans. Cultivated four canes to the hill, and trained the tall canes to posts and wires. New plants can be produced very freely by bending over the tips of yearling plants.

Mr. Downing called attention to Vice-President French - a week later than most of the Raspberries. A fine large berry; plant vigorous and productive.

4. The Currant

Which is the best variety of currant, both for market and family use Mr. Moody thought niORt of the White Grape currant. It is much larger than any other sort except the Cherry currant, while it is not so acid as that sort is. The bush is very productive and vigorous in its growth, while the fruit hangs long on the bunches. Had eaten it fresh and in good flavor on the first of October. The fruit is twice the size of the White Dutch, and the bush will bear twice the quantity. There is a very marked difference between the foliage of the sorts; and then, again, the White Dutch fruit will all fall off when ripened, while the White Grape are all sound, the bunches of fruit compact and all doing well. This variety I put No. 1.