Fig. 121. - False Red Antwerp.

Varieties

We shall not attempt to go over all the varieties of Raspberries that are now in cultivation, but will touch upon a few of the leading popular sorts, and note some new kinds which have come before us in fruit this year. Of the Black Cap varieties, the American Improved, or more generally known at the West as Doolittle's Improved, has been perhaps more extensively planted than any other. In good rich soils it is desirable, but in light or thin soils we can not see much improvement. It is a profitable sort, however, for market growing, as it bears shipment long distances and always in good order.

The Seneca Black Cap and Waterloo are two new seedlings announced by Mr. Doolittle as possessing valuable qualities, both in size of their berries and in a longer period of ripening. We have been unable to meet with the fruit.

The Miami Black Cap may be a distinct sort, but we have, in gathering wild plants, obtained many that so closely resemble it as to lead us to doubt. It is a good berry, however.

Ohio Everbearing

With us this has never given results satisfactory, but there are many growers with whom it has done admirably, and who would be unwilling to part with it. While we have always ob-tained fruit from the young canes in autumn, the quantity at that time, as well as in the spring, has not satisfied us that there was any profit in it.

Woodside

This variety is figured beautifully in Mr. Fuller's work on small fruits, and if it sustains one half the character there represented, must be a valuable sort. The cluster there shown has upon it some eight or nine fruits, all large and apparently grown, so that, like some varieties of peas, one picking would gather the whole crop. We have not seen the plant or fruit, but hope to do so.

Mrs. Wood

This is a new variety, for description and drawing of which we are indebted to Mr. Elliott, of Cleveland, forwarded at our request. He describes it as of the Black Cap family, with very strong canes, dark brown red when mature; laterals abundant, stiff, and strong; producing clusters of numerous fruit, with a broad, roundish, oval, sharp-pointed leaf, rich dark green. Fruit large, double the size of the common Black Cap, of a purplish black color with a bloom, firm, rich, and sweet; canes with spines. He says it is more prolific than anything of its class which he has ever met. Originated by Mrs. Wood, formerly of Rockport, Ohio, now of San Francisco, California.

Philadelphia

The productiveness and hardihood of this variety are so well known that we need to make no remarks. As a market sort, for light soils, it is undeniably a profitable variety. It will be seen from the illustration which we give of this variety, that the berry and length of fruit stem, with the spine on the fruit stems, bear a close resemblance to the drawing we give of one sent us by Mr. Elliott as the False Red Antwerp. Another year we hope to grow them side by side, and detect whatever difference there may be between them.

Clarke

This variety we have now grown some four years. It is a fine grower and a good fruit, the canes perfectly hardy. Mr. Elliott, of Cleveland, writes us that the plants he has of it so much resemble, in general appearance of the canes and fruit, that of the Kirtland, that he would like to gather the history of the Clarke. Perhaps Mr. Clark, of New Haven, will write it out for us. The Kirtland is supposed to be an old variety, not yet identified. It did not originate with Dr. Kirtland, but his name was attached to it by H. B. Lum, Esq., simply because plants he obtained came from the Doctor's grounds and were unknown by Mr. Lum. The variety was on the Doctor's place, so he tells us, when he purchased the property, and the old original bed is there yet. It is certainly one of the very best hardy old sorts, of good flavor and productiveness, but not quite firm enough for market transportation long distances.

Scarlet

One of our neighbors last spring procured a dozen plants under this name from Mr. Carpenter, of New York. On examining them we find the two Raspberries originally sent out by Mr. Allen under his name, and which made such confusion for a time, by one being productive of fruit and the other of suckers. Both, we believe, were originally from a market gardener's grounds at Cleveland, Ohio. We think whoever claims to be a horticulturist, and to send out plants, should be certain, first, that the variety is distinct, and second, that there should not be two sorts where only one was desired.

Belle De Fontenay

This variety has with us this season proved really superior. It is not quite as early as some other sorts, but if most of the suckers, of which it has too many, are kept down, the stems become strong and stiff and bear abundantly; a really good, firm, although perhaps a little too acid, fruit.

Fig. 122.-- Orange.

Hornet - has with us, this year, done admirably well, giving large fruit and abundantly; and so also may we say of Franconia; but both of these varieties, like the Red Antwerp, require to have the canes protected in winter to produce a good crop.

Brinckle's Orange, or Orange as it is now more generally termed, is unquestionably our best light-colored berry - large, rich, and sweet; and while the canes are the better for being laid down and protected, we have grown good crops from it without any protection.

Duhring, with us killed all down last winter, and we have no fruit. Had it not come to us as hardy, we should have protected it. While, however, we have so many good and profitable sorts that are hardy, we can sec no advantage in growing, except for amateur or pomological use, any new tender variety.

Naomi

Two years since we published a drawing and description of this variety, sent us by Mr. Elliott, who now writes us that with him, on stiff hard clay land, the plants have stood perfectly uninjured for two winters without any protection, and in their original grounds have never been injured in the least. The fruit is of the largest size - firm, but rich, juicy, and sweet; canes strong and productive. Mr. Elliott says it is by far the best hardy Raspberry of the Antwerp class with which he is acquainted.

Fig. 123. - Naomi.

Cushing, Col. Wilder, French, ana many others we have fruited and again and again examined, but we have nothing new to say of them, and at the same time consider that we have named the best varieties, and a sufficient number for any amateur, and perhaps too many for market growing.