and the fruit to become small, so that a successive plantation should be provided in time. Select new plants from vigorous stools in full perfection as to bearing. Be careful to favor the twice-bearers with a good mellow soil, in a sheltered situation, in order that the second crop may come to perfection. When Raspberries are cultivated on a large scale, it is best to plant them in beds by themselves, in rows from five to seven feet apart, according to the kinds. In small gardens they may be planted in detached stools, or in single rows in different parts of the garden, from the most sunny to the most shady aspect, for early and late fruit of improved growth and flavor. It is requisite to cut out the dead stems early in the spring, and to thin and regulate the successional young shoots. At the same time, the shoots retained should be pruned at the top, below the weak bending part, and some rotten dung worked in around the roots of the plants. Keep them clear of weeds during the summer, by hoeing between the rows, and eradicate all superfluous suckers; but be careful to retain enough for stock in succeeding years. The Antwerp and other tender varieties of the Raspberry are liable to be more or less injured by the severity of our winters; to prevent which, they should be protected by bending them down to the ground late in autumn, and covering them with earth five or six inches, sloping it off so as to prevent injury from rain or snow. In order to obtain a good supply of Raspberries in the autumn, cut down some of the twice-bearing varieties close to the ground, which will occasion strong suckers to shoot up, that will yield an abundant crop of fruit at a season when other varieties are not attainable. SELECT DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF RASPBERRIES. AMERICAN BLACK, Black Cap. This fruit is of smallish size, and ripens in June and July. It is a favorite with some. AMERICAN RED, English Red, Common Red. This variety is much cultivated for the market. The fruit ripens in June and July successively. ANTWERP RED, Large Red Antwerp, Howland's Red Antwerp, Burley. This species is rather tender, on which account the branches must be bent down in autumn, and covered with soil. The fruit is large and beautiful, of delicious flavor, and quite fragrant; in June and July. ANTWERP WHITE, Yellow Antwerp. This is also tender or half hardy, but very prolific; the fruit is large, of a pale yellow color, and much esteemed. It ripens in June and July. BARNET, Cornwallis Prolific, Lord Exmouth, Large Red. This is considered a first-rate fruit, and yields abundantly; in June and July. BEEHIVE. A new variety, introduced by Messrs. Winter & Co., of the Linnæan Botanic Garden, Flushing. The fruit is large, of round shape and red color; ripe in July. CORNISH, Large Cornish. A hardy and highly productive variety, yielding an abundance of red berries in June and July. DOUBLE-BEARING RED, Twice-Bearing. This species is very prolific, producing its first crop in July, and another in October. FLESH-COLORED, Framboisier Couleur de Chair. A new variety, imported by W. R. Prince & Co. from France. It is described as a highly flavored and much-esteemed fruit. FRANCONIA, Red Franconia. This variety is in great repute for its productiveness and the fineness of its fruit, which ripens gradually in July. This MONTHLY OR FOUR SEASONS, Perpetual Bearing. species, if planted in a shady situation, will produce successional crops throughout the summer. RED TALL CANE. There are several species of the Cane Raspberry, some of which are worthless. The Tall Red Cane produces fine fruit in July and August, and very frequently in autumn. VICTORIA. This Queen of Raspberries has been imported by W. R. Prince, and plants are offered for sale at his nursery at Flushing, for twenty-five cents each. BLACKBERRIES. This kind of fruit requires about the same kind of management that is essential to raise good raspberries. Clean cultivation and rich ground, with all the old canes removed annually, will seldom fail to secure a bountiful crop. The illustrations of different varieties are not overdrawn as to size. Indeed, in many instances, the fruit grows larger than it is here represented. It must be borne in mind that in order to raise large berries, the soil must be worked deep and enriched with the best kind of fertilizing material, and the surface mulched in hot weather. Blackberry bushes should be kept as clean of grass and weeds as growing corn or cabbage. The Kittatinny Blackberry was originated by E. Williams, Montclair, New Jersey, and sustains the reputation of being one of the best, and with some fruit culturists the very best, blackberry in the country. It is a great bearer, endures our cold winters well, and sells quickly in market. We consider it superior to the celebrated New Rochelle Blackberry, either for the table or for market. |