THE WONDERBERRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2921, 9 March 1910, Page 10

THE WONDERBERRY.

A correspondent sends the following communication relative to Luther Burbank's recent novelty, the wonderberry : I always read the Garden Notes in theWitness, contributed by Mr J. Gebbie, and find them very interesting and instructive. He seems, however, to. have somewhat crude ideas as tc Burbank's. new which is appropriately named the wonderberry." By the American mail just to hand I have received a packei of seeds of this plant, together with a good dealof literature dealing with it. Mr Gebbie "fails to see any difference" between the Solarium nigrum (nightshade.) and the wonderberry, and the same want of discrimination has beer the subject of much controversy in. America e#er since it was introduced four years ago. Burbank says: "This fruit was not in existence anywhere or this planet five years ago. It is of great scientific interest, having been produced by-the combination of two very distinct wild species of Solanum guinense, of West Africa, and Solanum villosum, of the West Coast of America. Neither of these wild species bear edible berries, but this new species bears the most delicious, wholesome, and 'healthful berries (like blueberries) in the utmost profusion, and always comes exactly true from seed." Burbank's nam© stands so high in the horticultural world that such an explicit statement will ba taken by everyone as conclusive. Growers declare that it ripens from seed in three months, may be grown in any soil or climate, and continues to ripen fruit in great quantities until checked by hard frosts. In mild climates—D'unedinis said to have, the same climate as Venice—the plants' send up a new strong growth early each spring. One- American grower picksd before witnesses, on October 10," 375 green and ripe berries from one plant. They measured five quarts, and would have been fully eight quarts had all the berries been allowed to mature. When the nightshade controversy started in America the bead of the New York Botanical Gardens (Dr Brittoni and his assistants experimented, and reported that the wonderberry was not the Solanum nigrum, or any other variety of solanum. Since then thenew fruit has been extensively cultivated. No doubt during the coming spring there will be many local experimenters with the wonderberry, so that all doubts as to. its nature, qualities, and suitability to New Zealand will be set at rest. Cultural dtirectiwns recommend planting in poor sandy soil. Berries will last two months on the plant after ripening, growing better all the time.