ruit in clusters near the
root of the plant: whence the name. The plant is healthy, hardy, and
vigorous; fruit comparatively short and thick. Its usual length is about
five inches, and its diameter about two inches; skin prickly, green,--at
the blossom-end, often paler, or nearly white,--brownish-yellow when
ripe; flesh white, seedy, tender, and well flavored, but less crispy or
brittle than that of many other varieties.

It is a good early garden sort, and is very productive; but is not well
adapted for pickling, on account of the soft and seedy character of its
flesh.

EARLY FRAME.

Short Green.

One of the oldest of the garden sorts, justly styled a standard variety.
Plant healthy and vigorous, six to ten feet in length; fruit straight
and well formed, five inches and a half long, and two inches and a half
in diameter; skin deep-green, paler at the blossom-end, changing to
clear yellow as it approaches maturity, and, when fully ripe, of a
yellowish, russet-brown color; flesh greenish-white, rather seedy, but
tender, and of an agreeable flavor. It is a few days later than the
Early Cluster.

The variety is universally popular, and is found in almost every
vegetable garden. It is also very productive; succeeds well, whether
grown in open culture or under glass; and, if plucked while young and
small, makes an excellent pickle.

EARLY RUSSIAN.

This comparatively new variety resembles, in some respects, the Early
Cluster. Fruit from three to four inches in length, an inch and a half
or two inches in diameter, and generally produced in pairs; flesh
tender, crisp, and well flavored. When ripe, the fruit is deep-yellow or
yellowish-brown.

Its merits are its hardiness, extreme earliness, and great
productiveness. It comes into use nearly ten days in advance of the
Early Cluster, and is the earliest garden variety now cultivated. Its
small size is, however, considered an objection; and some of the larger
kinds are generally preferred for the main crop.

LONDON LONG GREEN. _M'Int._

Fruit about a foot in length, tapering towards the extremities; skin
very deep-green while the fruit is young, yellow when it is ripe; flesh
greenish-white, firm, and crisp; flavor good.

This variety is nearly related to the numerous prize sorts which in
England are cultivated under glass, and forced during the winter. There
is little permanency in the slight variations of character by which they
are distinguished; and old v