"The Department takes the opportunity of urging upon every person who owns land the desirability of devoting some portion of it to fruit-growing. It has been conclusively demonstrated that fruit-particularly apples and soft fruits -of excellent quality can be profitably grown in Ireland. The value of fruit as an article of diet, either raw or cooked, is not sufficiently recognized, and there are very few holdings on which fruit of some kind cannot be grown at least for home consumption."

"Commercial fruit growing ,can be recommended with the greatest confidence, provided the plantations are properly managed and care is taken in grading and packing the fruit for market."

Recommended Varieties

This leaflet includes short descriptions of 42 apples, 21 pears, 18 plums, 8 cherries, 11 gooseberries, 13 currants, 4 red raspberries, and 2' strawberries. The brief comments include information on the characteristics of the fruIt and its uses, general adaptation of the variety, blooming period and notes on the type and growth of the plant.

Few American Varieties Cited

The lists in this circular contain few varieties which are found in the United States. Of the 42 apples only Mother, Tompkins King, and Wealthy are found commonly in this country. A larger proportion of the pears are familiar to American growers. These include Cornice, Clapp Favorite, Conference and Laxton's Superb. The cherry list includes Early Rivers, May Duke, and Napoleon.

A unique situation is found in the case of strawberries. The authors state, "Healthy stocks of many of the strawberry varieties formerly cultivated are now difficult to procure. Royal Sovereign and Huxley are the only varieties now giving satisfactory returns under commercia} conditions." This is quite different from the relatively long list of strawberry varieties offered by nurseries in this country.

       

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