F9G Hatt Qfalkgc of Agttcultuw JVt QforneU IntwersttH atljara, 5f. 5. DATE DUE ^^..^^r. .._... ^9 nflfflQi "^ IB^f^^l^^^ p.- '% -— .«uc#&>;"'''" JSj^iM gUPP^ •^M'y !^TW** DEMCO 38-297 CorneJI University Library SB 381.F96 1887 The small fruit culturist. Ill 381 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tlie Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003401381 THE SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. BT ANDEEW S. FULLER, ATJTHOB OF ** THE GBAPE CTJLTUBIST," " PEACTIOAL FOEBSTKT," " FBOPACIATIOl} OF PLAITTS," ETC., ETC. NEW. REWRITTEN. AND ENLARG^BD ^EDITION WITH AN APPENDIX. BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSXRATSOL NEW YORK : ORANGE JUDD COMPANY, %kr iintered, -.ccordiHg to Ast of Congress, ta the year 188T, by the O. JtJUl) CO., lu the UtCce ol the Iiibriiiiiiii ol Cougress, at Washin^on. rf*^-;V @.ifeS4e Pbinted in U. S. a. PREFACE TO EEVISED EDITION AND APPENDIX. Twenty years ago I wrote the first edition of this work, scarcely expecting at the time that there would be such a demand for it as to call for yarious revisions and additions during the next two decades, and even later, for now my publishers inform me that the last edition is eutirely exhausted, and a new one must immediately go to press to enable them to promptly fill their orders. The large number of copies sold of former editions has not only been gratifying to the Author, hut it has shown that there was a want of just such information as it contained. It was a pioneer in a new field, and Small Fruit 'Culture as a distinct branch of horticulture had never been recognized when the first edition of this work was published, but now there are hundreds of establish- ments, and in all parts of the country, in which the small fruits or berries are a specialty. That this work has had some influence in promoting this advance in Small Fruit Culture, the Author thinks he may claim, without fear of being accused of conceit. That my efforts in seeking to disseminate information in regard to the propagation and cultivation of berries have been well received by my co-laborers in this field, is shown by the large sale and constant demand for this work, and that they have also been appreciated abroad is IV PEEFACB TO REVISED EDITION AND APPENDIX. indicated by the fact that it has been translated into German, and a very handsome edition brought out by a publishef.at Weimar. . As this is the first and only book written by an American on horticulture, which has been translated and published in Germany, I consider that it is not only a compliment to the Author, but to American horticulturists generally. As I have already stated in former editions of this work, my principal object in experimenting with small fruits was to obtain information, which might be given to the public with an assurance that it would encourage their cultivation, and eventually make them so plentiful and cheap that the poor, as well as the rich, of our large cities and villages might be able to indulge in fruits, which had long been considered as luxuries. That the good work may go forward until every garden shall yield an abundance of the largest and best; varieties, and every table in the land be constantly sup- plied, is the sincere wish of The Author. Ridgewood, N. J., March, ISS?. CONTENTS. Page. Introduction - 6 Chapter I. Barberry -. _ 30 Chaptee II. Strawberry. , 31 Chapter III. Raspberry. 119 Chapter IV. Blackberry 176 Chapter V. Dwarf Cherry 191 Chapter VI. Currant.. 194 Chapter VII. Gooseberry 322 Chapter VIII. Cornelian Cherry 333 Chapter IX. Cranberry .339 Chapter X. Huckleberry 354 Chapter XI. Shepherdia, or Buffalo Berry 359 Chapter XII. Preparation for Gathering Fruit 263 Appendix - 279 (5) INTRODUCTION. The cultivation of the Small Fruits, as a distinct feature in horticulture, commenced less than twenty-five years ago. It is true we had raspberries, strawberries, currants, and other berries in our gardens, and nurserymen propa- gated the plants for sale to a very limited extent, but a catalogue made up exclusively of the Small Fruits was unknown, and I may add, the common announcement in catalogues of to-day, "Small Fruits a Specialty," has come into use within the past twenty years. In Europe there were a few men who made a specialty of the Small Fruits, some choosing the Gooseberry, others the Straw- berry, and cultivating these on a limited scale, but to take the entire group of Small Fruits, and make these the prominent feature, or specialty, was as rare in the old world as in the new. The further we go back into the history of horticulture, the less do we find in regard to the berries, and even two centuries ago scarcely any of the English and French authors give anything more than a passing notice of some wild berries, which were occa- sionally transplanted into the garden. The family supply of these fruits was drawn from the fields and woods, and while the apple, pear, plum, and other larger fruits were attracting attention, as they had done from the earliest times, the Small Fruits remained in their natural and undeveloped state. Early in the present century, some attempts were made in England to improve the Strawberry, and these being quite successful, a new interest was awakened in this fruit among the horticulturists of the old world, but no 6 INTEODTTCTIOSr. 7 great progress was made in the cultivation of the different kinds of Small Fruits until several years later. The progress of fruit-culture in the United States is probably more apparent than in other countries, for we ha^e only to go back to a period within the memory of horticulturists still living, to ascertain nearly every fact in regard to its history. Ask any of our older horticulturists concerning the markets of forty years ago, and they will tell us that there were no Hovey or Wilson Strawberries offered for sale in those days ; no Cherry or White Grape Currants ; no New Eochelle or Kittatinny Blackberries ; but that they were wholly supplied with berries from the woods and uncultivated fields. The progress we have made in Small Fruit Culture dur- ing the past twenty years is certainly something of which our horticulturists may well feel proud, but the limits in the way of advancement have not as yet been reached, and there is room enough for those who may wish to enter this field to work out many an unsolved problem. The cause of our advancement is, in a great measure, due to the dissemination of information upon the subject through the horticultural and agricultural press. It is by reading these that the masses have learned where to obtain the plants they desire and how to cultivate them. Thus, by having a medium through which both parties are benefited, trade is augmented and progress made more certain. The originators of new varieties have been stimulated to make great exertions, because of the . high prices paid for their products in times past, but it is quite probable that new sorts wiU not hereafter command so much at- tention as they have in years gone by, at least it will not be so easy to obtain high prices for a second-rate article. What may he termed the "Small Fruit Craze" has had its day, and hereafter it will be only the really valuable sorts — ^the intrinsic worth of which has become fuUy 8 SMALL FEUIT CULTUEIST. ascertained and establislied, that will be in demand. There has been altogether too much puflSng of new or supposed to be new sorts, before their merits or identity had become fully ascertained. In many instances Tarieties have been announced as something wonderful, and en- dorsed by scores of ministers, doctors, lawyers, and other prominent gentlemen — neighbors of the originators, not one of whom perhaps ever had any experience in fruit- culture, or could tell a "Wilson" Strawberry from a "HoTcy" or a "Chag. Downing." Instances of this kind of worthless endorsement of new or old sorts, are becoming more and more frequent and annoying to the horticulturist and the public at large. The old " Belle de Fontenay " Easpberry was recently, brought out as some- thing new under the name of Amazon, and the man who claimed to have produced it, procured the endorsement of some half a score of ministers as to his own honesty, and the great and valuable merits of his bantling. The said ministers may be very good men, and know some- thing of their parishioner's character, and still, as proved in this case, know very little about Easpberries. In other instances the Mayor of a city, or some noted politician, is called upon to endorse the statement of the raiser of a new variety, while there are plenty of good horticulturists near at hand, whose word in such cases would carry some cVeight among fruit-growers generally. All persons interested in fruit growing should unite in condemning 'this species of quackery in horticulture. The facilities for disseminating plants of all kinds, have . largely increased during the past few years, our railroads having penetrated almost every part of the country, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, affording safe and rapid facilities for transmission of plants to the most distant localities. Added to this, the Post-office Department per- mits the sending of plants through the mails, but I regret to say at rates of postage far in excess of what they should IKTEODTTCTIOlir, 9 be in a country where agriculture and horticulture are the foundation of national wealth. The rates of postage on seeds, plants, and cuttings, has been doubled since the first edition of this book was published, while the rates on some other classes of matter have been reduced to an almost nominal sum — a discrimination agamst agricul- ture and horticulture not warranted by the needs of the Department, and much against the wishes of the public at large. The increase of railroad facilities and other means of transportation has not been to the advantage of fruit-growers in all localities alike, but to some a great disadvantage, as it has brought distant parts of the country into close competition. The fruit-growers in the Southern States can now send their berries to northern markets, and while these do not come into direct com- petition with those grown in the North, still their pres- ence has a very depressing influence upon prices. Weeks and sometimes months before the northern berries are ripe, the markets are flooded with the southern grown fruit, and the residents of our cities have had enough of strawberries before the home-grown berries come in, and wanting a change the public seek some other kind to the neglect of the fresh berries from the fields in the suburbs, and prices go down accordingly. The southern fruits bring high prices, but the cost of freight, commission, etc. , leave the raiser but a small margin for profit ; con- sequently the only parties benefited are the transporta- tion companies, commission men, and the consumer. There have been no great discoveries or improvements made in methods of culture or propagation of the Small Fruits during the past dozen years, but there appears to be a growing desire to improve native varieties to the ex- clusion or neglect of the foreign, and this is especially noticeable among the cultivators of the Raspberry. The native sorts are attracting most attention, and are well deserving of itj because the foreign ones here have never 10 SMALL IKUIT CULTURIST. been satisfactory in general cultivation. There is room for great improvements upon even the best of those now known as the leading native varieties, and if half the time and skill had been bestowed upon the native Eed Raspberry, in endeavoring to produce new sorts, as has been upon the foreign, we would now have something better than even the highly extolled Outhbert and Turner. The introduction and almost general use of fruit-pre- serving cans have afforded the people an opportunity of obtaining an uninterrupted supply of choice fruits^ re- gardless of time or season. Thousands of bushels are annually preserved for home use by families, both in country and city. One may step into any of our restau- rants — even when the snow covers the fields and with the thermometer at zero — and call for a dish of strawberries and cream, and he will be supplied as readily as in the month of June. The fruit may not be quite so good as when first gathered from the plant, but, considering the time of year, it is very acceptable. 'Not only do private families, saloons, and hotels consume enormous quantities of the Small Fruits which have been preserved in these hermetically sealed cans and jars, but every steamer or sailing vessel that leaves our ports takes with it a supply for use on the voyage, and it often forms a share of the freight. "We are not only called upon to produce fruits to supply the home demand, but other portions of the world which cannot or do not produce them, and it can readily be seen that it must be many years before any- thing like an adequate quantity can be produced, even with the ralpid strides we are making. The field for pro- duction may appear to be a very large one, still it is far less than that of consumption. It is not every location or soil that is adapted to the cultivation of the Small Fruits, neither will every variety succeed equally well on the same place. Consequently the favorable regions for particular kinds must furnish the people of other loca- INTRODUCTION'. 11 tions ; thus an exchange is made beneficial to both, and to the advantage of trade. The Southern States produce fruit for home consumption, and for sale at the North, and vice versa. Different sections produce different i^uits, but often both yield the same, and yet they be- come a market for each other. With a constantly increasing demand, and no apparent prospect of our markets being fully supplied, it is no wonder that many have turned their attention to the cultivation of the Small Fruits. All along the lines of our railroads, canals, and naviga- ble rivers, new villages are springing tip, each of which soon becomes a shipping point for produce Sent to the larger cities and villages. Places which did not exist eight or ten years ago, are now annually sending to market a half million to a million baskets of fruits. It is not to be expected that every one who attempts the cultivation of the Small Fruits will be successful, any more than that all will succeed in any other business, still it must be admitted, that the culture of the leading vari- eties of this class offers as wide and safe a field for enter- prise as is to be found in any other branch of business pertaining to the cultivation of the soil. Some will fail because they obtained varieties unsuited to their soil or location, for it must be remembered that there is no such thing as general cultivation, when ap- plied to the whole United States. Others will attempt more than they are capable of completing. And there are those who imagine that all that is required is, to ob- tain the plants and see that they are planted, after which they can sit down and wait for a bountiful harvest. Such people are always disappointed, and it matters not what they undertake they are sure to be unfortunate, and every experiment will end in failure until they learn to labor as well as to wait. Profitable fruit-culture cannot result from idleness or negligence. Prompt, energetic action, ap- 13 BHAU, FETJIT CnLTITBIST. plied at the proper time, is far more essential with the small fruits than with the larger ones. An apple or pear tree will struggle long, and often successfully, against weeds, drouth, or an unsuitable soil, while a Raspberry or Strawberry plant would perish in a week under similar circumstances. There is probably nothing appertaining to the cultivation of the soil which will, if properly con- ducted, yield more pleasure or profit than the culture of our best varieties of small fruits. Still it must not be ex- pected that there are no difficulties in the way, for there will sometimes be early and late frosts ; wet and dry sea- sons ; cold winters and hot summers, and insects that will destroy more rapidly than nature can restore ; therefore no one should attempt the culture of any kind of fruit, unless he has courage and perseverance sufficient to meet and overcome all the obstacles he may find in the road to success. To the inexperienced cultivator these difficultiei may appear very formidable, yet they are no greater thaj in any other branch of business, and far less than in many. The small fruits, as a class, are less liable to be affected by disease or insects than a majority of the larger kinds, and as many of theni, like the Raspberry and Blackberry, bloom late in the season and perfect their fruit early, they are seldom injured by the late spring frosts, which are often so very destructive to the Peach, Apple, and othei early bloomers. To guard against great losses it is best not to risk one's entire capital in any one kind, for if that should fail, it would be ruinous. Neither is it advisable to cultivate too great a variety, for capital, needlessly scattered, is not readily gathered. The aim of the cultivator should be : Ist — ^To provide against total failure. 2d — Cultivate no more of any one kind than he can properly attend to, both in cultivating and in gathering the fruit. 3d — Provide for a succession of crops, so that there shall be an uninter- rupted income, in preference to a large and fiictaatinj[ mTBODucnoiT. 18 me. Frait-baskets, crates, etc., must be provided, and the capital invested in these should not be allowed to re main idle any longer than is absolutely necessary. If sev* »ral kinds are cultivated, commencing with the Strawber- ry, and followed by Raspberries, Gooseberries, Currants, and Blackberries, the fruit-baskets may be constantly em- ployed for at least three months, when if but one kind is grown their use will scarcely extend over as many weeks. Besides this, a better class of help can be secured for gatheiing the fruit where steady employment for three months can be given, than when for only a few days oi weeks. The chief object of those who cultivate fruit for mar- ket is that of profit, and to secure the largest return on capital invested requires a judicious selection of varieties. The best in quality are seldom the most profitable for general market purposes. Usually the highest flavored are the most delicate growers and quite unproductive. Individual tastes differ — one will choose a variety that an- other will reject. Taste, however, is changeable, and a fruit, which at one time may be quite distasteful, will, by a constant acquaintance, become very agreeable. Our markets are but an aggregation of individuals, conse- quently they often change, and a particular variety of fruit, when first introduced, will find no purchasers, though it may afterwards become exceedingly popular. A particular color will often be the cause of rejection, and it will require a constant and persistent effort on the part of the producer to introduce the variety and per- saade the masses to purchase. A case in point is that of the Bi-inckle's Orange Raspberry, a variety which is ac- knowledged, by connoisseurs in fruit, to be one of the very best in quality ; still, place it beside almost any ordinary red variety in any of the New York markets, and not ten baskets of it will be sold to one hundred of the latter. la other cities the results may be quite the reTena 14 SUAIX FBUIT CniTUBIST. which would only show that the masses mnst become a» quainted with a variety before they will freely purchase, especially if it differs widely in appearance from those which are well known. The public taste in this country has not as yet been sufficiently cultivated to discriminate or select the very best, and it is doubtftil if the masses appreciate or care whether a fruit is fully up to any par- ticular standard of quality that scientific horticulturist* have endeavored to establish ; quantity is evidently more highly prized than quality, especially if the latter is at- tended by scarcity. I do not wish in these remarks to convey the idea that the very best should not always be sought for, but when their cultivation is not remunerative, quality alone be- comes of doubtful advantage to the producer. The more familiar a people become with any particular kind of fruit, the more they will appreciate it, and should anything occur to deprive them of a supply, they will feel the loss very keenly. Small fruit-culture has already be- come quite a prominent feature in American horticulture, and every possible means should be employed, not only to keep up the supply, but to increase it, so that it shaU equal the demand. Heretofore its production has been mainly local ; that is, a particular neighborhood has made a specialty of grow- ing some one or more kinds that have been found to be adapted to the location and soil. Fruit-growers in other sections, having tried the same variety or varieties, as the case may be, and not finding their culture remunerative, have discarded them. Instead of doing this, they should have tried to produce new va- rieties that would succeed; or, endeavored to procure from among the many already known, some kind that was adapted to their particular soil and location. It is well known to every experienced horticulturist that certiun apecies, and all the varieties produced therefrom, fail in nmtODUcmoir. IB lome locations and soils, while other species and their t» rieties, although of the same genns, will succeed most ad- mirably. These peculiarities of species have given rise to much discussion among, fruit-growers. One will assert, foroinstance, that the Raspberry is a total failure in his section, and that it cannot be grown, which may be true in regard to a particular kind or class, but no farther. There is probably no soil in our whole country, unless it be under water or totally barren, in which some one or more kinds of small fruits may not be profitably grown. The great desideratum is, to determine which they are, and the people are looking to experimenters to furnish the required information. This is being given through various mediums that are accessible to all, and the rapidly extending culture of this class of fruits shows very clearly that the knowledge gained is put to practical use. The dissemination of sim- pie facts, which are frequently conveyed in a single word or line, is often of more value than a learned and elabo- rate essay. We sometimes observe in nurserymen's catalogues, re* ferring to a particular variety, a simple remark like this " succeeds admirably with me in a light sandy, clayey, oi loamy soil," as the case may be, thereby giving a key to the secret of his success and the failure of others. There was a time in the history of horticulture when secrets were a merchantable commodity, and the particular methods of propagation and culture were transferred from one gardener to another for a consideration. But those days are past, for the true horticulturist of the present day keeps no secrets that will benefit mankind, but hast- ens to give to the world the advantages which may arise from any discovery he makes, receiving in return that which is of more lasting value than money : the thanks of his co-laborers. It is true, that occasionally a man can be found so blind to bis own interest and reputation, and 16 SXALL VBUtr UUiirUJUBl. M) selfisHy mean, as to desire to keep to himself any prooe« by which he thinks he can surpass his neighhors, and tax the public for his own benefit; but such is the estimation in which these men are held by a large majority of horti- culturists, and so readily is their meanness discovered by their customers, that they are very soon obliged either to retire from business and seek some other less honorable occupation, or eke out a miserable existence supported by the patronage of a class no better than themselves. The laws of nature should be secrets to none, and he who would deny others the knowledge of any important discovery in horticultural processes, would, if he were able, have the blessed sunshine and showers shut out from every field but his. It is to the constant interchange of facts, derived from experience, that we owe much of our progress in horticulture. To know the diflferent varieties, to that one can name them at sight, does not constitute, as some may suppose, all the knowledge requisite to en- able one to cultivate them successfully. Their adaptation to the various soils, locations, and climate ; the best mode of cultivation, propagation, prun- ing ; whether the fruit is firm or fragile, rendering it more suitable for market or home use — these and many other points must be understood before one can sa&ly go into small fruit-culture on an extensive scale. There has been much discussion as to whether a constant cultivation of the soil was necessary to produce remunerative results from growing the apple, peach, pear, and kindred fruits. There is, perhaps, some reason in particular cases for an apparent neglect, such as excessive growth, which may be checked by non-cultivation more readily than oth- erwise. But with the fruits, of which we shall treat is the following pages, there are no exceptions to the rule— the better the care, the more remunerative the results. By bestowing the best of care, we will not only obtain bettei returns, but they will be in an increased ratio to the amoant niTEODUCnOK. 11 of labor bestowed. In many instances, with an annual expenditure of twenty-five dollars per 'acre, a return of only one hundred is obtained, while upon the same soil and with the same variety, if fifty dollars had been ex- pended, the return would have been three or four hundred. All experiments show that extra culture is far more prof itable than what is generally termed good culture. I do not mean by this that it is necessary to trench the soil four feet deep, and apply a thousand loads of manure per acre to a soil which is naturally deep and rich ; but that deep plowing and subsoiling should be employed, with a liberal supply of enriching materials, if the best results are to be obtained. But few of those who are called good cultivators are aware of the large increase of fruit which may be produced on an acre by giving extra cul- ture, instead of the ordinary method. Many fiMiit-grow» ers, for the purpose of extending their business, increase the number of acres, when, if they would double the depth of that which they already possess, they would ob- tain the same increase in product without going to the expense of purchasing more land, besides incurring the extra trouble of cultivating two acres, when one might, with proper care, produce the same results. Deepening the soil is not wholly for the purpose of furnishing more plant food, nor to facilitate the downward growth of roots, but it is principally for the purpose of disintegra- tion, and making it of such a consistency that it will be capable of retaining a sufficient amount of moisture at all times to nourish and supply the plants growing therein, but not enough to be detrimental. Kain water, as is well known, contains gases that are beneficial to plants, and if the soil is in a condition to allow it to pass through it, a large portion of these gases will be retained, but if the surface is hard, the water either runs off or remains until it evaporates. Again, a soil that is loose and fnnble admits tat, and 18 SHAIli FBUIT CITLTITBIBTa with it moisture. To prove this fact, we have only to take a piece of glass or polished steel, or any similar sal> stance, and place it in an ice-house where it will becom« cold ; then carry it into the open air, and in a moment it will be covered with water condensed from the atmos- phere. Now, we know that this moisture did not exude from the glass, therefore it must have come from the air. By stirring the soil, and placing that which has become heat- ed underneath to warm the roots, and bringing the cooler portions to the top to condense the moisture, two objects are obtained : besides loosening the earth that it may be the more easily penetrated by the rootlets, it at the same time admits the air charged with moisture for their nourishment. The benefit derived from frequent stirring of the surface soil in dry weather, especially if it be of a compact nature, is mainly derived from the admission of air containing moisture. Many cultivators appear to think that all that is required of them is, to keep the weeds from growing among their plants, and they never Stir the soil except for this purpose ; but our best cnltt vators have learned that frequent moving of the soil is very beneficial to all crops, especially in time of drouth. If any one doubts that soil can be made moist by frequent stirring, let them select a piece of ground under some open shed where no rain has reached for a year or more, break up the soil and pulverize it finely ; then stir it and turn it over every morning for a week or two, and it will become quite moist, while a similar soil in the open field, which has not been stirred, will be parched and dry. Mulching the surface with straw, leaves, or similar materi- als, is often very beneficial, especially to plants whose roots do not penetrate deeply. The mulch not only as* lists in preventing evaporation, but insures condensation of moisture from the air, which passes freely through it to Vhe BoiL It u not my purpose to enter into any elaborate dianii» oiTBODiranov. 19 dona of particular theories relative to growth, Btmcture, food of plants, or any of the various points in vegetable physiology which are considered debatable questionSt But as I shall have occasion in the following pages to ad- vice deep and thoroughly pulverized soD, I have stated the foregoing simple facts, so that the reader may ^ndfi^ itand why they are recommended. CHAPTER I. BARBERRY.— Beebeeis. NATDHAL FAMILY BerberidacecB. [Name derived from the Arabic Berberys. The French name is EpinevirutU', German, Berberitze ; Datch, Berberitse ; Italian, Berbero ; Spanish, Berberia.'i Gbnbkal Chaeactees. — Shrabs of medium size, with yellow inner bark and wqod; flowers in drooping ra- ceme§ ; leaves, and fruit, acid. A section of this genus, with evergreen leaves, is called Mahonia. SPECIES. Berberis vulgaris. — Common Barberry. — Native of Britain, but has become naturalized in the New England States ; stems with sharp spines ; leaves obovate-oblong, bristly-toothed ; berries oblong, scarlet. Berberis Canadensis. — American Barberry. — Very similar to the last ; the racemes not quite so long. Ber- ries oval, red. Considered by some botanists as only a variety of B. vulgaris. AUeghanies and southward. The past summer, in a visit to New Mexico, I found this species in great abundance in the deep canyons, at an elevation of six thousand to eight thousand feet above the sea. It seemed to thrive best along the dry banks and sides of the canyons, among the yuccas and cactuses, where few other plants can survive the long drouths of those regions. Leaves smaller than in B. vul- garis, slightly serrate ; lighter green ; similar in habit, but less robust, perhaps owing to the rigorous climate. Berberis Fremonti.— Fremont's Barberry. — A hand- some large evergreen shrub, five to ten feet high, with rigid trifoliate leaves ; leaflets one to two and a half inches long, the middle one usually the longest, some- what cordate at the base, and with more numerous teeth, the lowest pairs situated close at the base. Flowers in clusters of two or three ; berries ovate, dark blue, about the size of small currants. Discovered by Fremont, in 2G BAEBEEET. 31 1844j in Southern Utali, but it extends along the yalleys southward, and would probably succeed in the Middle States, if not in the Northern. , Berberis trifoliata. — Three-leaved Barberry. — Closely allied to the last ; common in Western Texas and New Mexico. Berries bright red, and less acid than those of the common barbery. Fruit used for tarts, etc. Berberis dulciSi — Magellan Sweet Barberry. — Also B. luxifoUa and B. rotundifolia. Straits of Magellan ; it is an evergreen there and in England ; here it usually drops its leaves late in winter. The berries are round, black, moderately sweet. Berberis aristata^ — Nepaul Barberry. — B. Asiatica and B. Ghitra. A native of various portions of India. Evergreen, with purple fruit, covered with bloom. The other evergreen species of the Eocky Mountains and the Pacific Coast, i. e., B. repens, B. Aquifolitim, B. pinnata and B. nervosa, are known as "Mountain" or "Bush-Grapes." They were formerly placed in the genus Mahonia; and are principally cultivated for orna- ment ; the pioneers in the regions named considered the berries as edible, and as a substitute for grapes. HISTOET. There is very little in the history of the Barberry that is of interest at the present day. Gerarde, an English author (1597), says that its young leaves were used as a salad in his time. PEOPAGATION. By Seeds. — Gather the fully ripe berries, and put into boxes untU the pulp becomes soft, then wash out the seeds, and either sow or keep in sand until wanted. Sow in the fall ; if delayed until spring, the seeds be- come dry, and more or less of them will not grow. Where the weather is very hot and dry in summer, select a half- Bhady place for the seed-bed, else the young plants will 22 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. be burned off. Sow in drills, and cover them about one inch deep ; keep the weeds down, and stir the soil often. Transplant in early spring when one or two years old, and at the time of removal shorten the tap-root about one-third. Bt Suckees. — The Barberry throws np numerous suckers, chiefly from the main stem, and roots are pro- duced on the base of these, which may be separated from the old plant to increase the number of plants. By Cuttiitgs. — Cuttings of the ripe wood do not grow as readily as with some other plants ; still, with care, they will succeed. Select one or two-year-old wood in the fall, before it has been severely frozen, and cut it into lengths of six or eight inches, cutting the lower end square across and just below a bud. Use a sharp knife, in order to cut smoothly. After the cuttings are made, bury them in a dry place in the open ground, and cover beyond the reach of frost. Do not tie in bundles, but place in alternate layers of soil and cuttings. In the spring take out and plant, placing them about three inches apart in the rows, covering all but one or two inches of the upper end. Pack the soil firmly around them, and either hoe often or cover the entire surface of the soil with mulch. As the same general system is followed for all ripe wood cuttings grown in the open ground, I will here give my method with the Barberry, the Currant, Gooseberry, and all simi- lar plants. When the cuttings are prepared, select a dry place, and dig a drench one spade deep, in shape like a letter V ; place a layer of cuttings on one side, then throw enough soil from the other side to cover them about an inch deep. Then place another layer of cuttings against this soil, keeping the trench in the same shape as it was when begun, cover the next layer in the same manner, and so on until the cuttings are all in^ then bank over with earth and smooth the surface so that the water will ■ readily run off. BABBEBBT. 23 In the spring, prepare a bed for tte cuttings by digging or glowing deeply, and enriohing with well rotted manure. Harrow or rake the surface level and smooth ; then draw a line across the bed, and dig a trench by placing the back 'of the spade against the line, pressing it down perpendicu- larly ; then throw out the soil to one side, making a trench of the shape shown in figure 1. Place the cuttings against the perpendicular side of the trench, two to four inches apart, and the upper end an inch or two above the surface of the soil. Draw in a little soil, and press it down firmly with the foot, or with an in- Fig. 1.— CUTTING TRENCH. strumcnt made firom a piece of two inch plank, as shown in figure 2. After the earth has been packed firmly about the base of the cutting, the trench may be filled up level vrith the surrounding soiL With many kinds of plants the packing of the soil around the lower end of the cuttings is a very essential point, and often the whole secret of success. This is particularly so with those kinds that produce roots mainly from the lower end, where the wood is exposed to the soil. The distance between the rows wiU depend entirely upon the manner in which they are to be culti- vated. If a cultivator is to be used, then thov should be two and a half or three feet apai / \ but where they are to be cultivated with tl f \ hoe one and a half to two feet will be suflSciei I I In some soils and locations the plants rais^v. " — from cuttings may be left in the ground where ^' they are grown until the following spring, and then trans- planted ; but the safest plan is to take them up in the fall, be- cause in some soils they will be thrown out by the frost, un- less they have a larger quantity of roots than is usual S4 SHALL FBUTI CtTLTTTBIST. Bt Gbebk Wood Cuttings.— This mode of propagating the Barberry can only be practiced to advantage by those who have propagating houses. The plants should be taken up in the fall and potted, giving each plant sufficient soil and room to insure a healthy growth. They may be placed directly in the house or in frames or cellar until wanted. When they are first potted the soil should be watered so that it will settle about the roots and fill all intersticej between them. Wben the plants have been placed in the house, and have made a growth of two or three inches, the cuttings may be taken off by severing the new-growing wood close to the main stem ; place the cuttings in pots fiUed with pure sand, fifteen to twenty in a six inch pot, after which give water to settle the sand about the cuttings ; then cover with a bell glass, or place in frames within the house, as usual with other green wood cuttings. Every experienced propagator will understand and know how to treat the cuttings when they become rooted, and those who are novices in these matters would do well to practice a while upon plants less difficult to propagate, be- fore trying the Barberry. Bt Buddhto and Gkafting. — ^The rare varieties are sometimes worked upon the more common kinds, usually by budding. The operation is performed just as soon as the buds are fiilly developed on the young growth of the sea- son, and in the same manner as upon the apple and similar trees. Grafting is also performed in the usual manner, but the oion should be inserted in the stock below the surface so that all but the upper bud will be covered by the soiL Bt Latees. — ^The usual manner of making layers of othe* woody plants is applicable to the Barberry, but they will seldom become well rooted the first season. Still they may be severed from the parent plant in the autumn or early spring ; the upper portions of the stems are out ofi and then they are treated the same as cuttingB. BABBEBBT 2S T^ie layers may be made in early spring, of the previouB geason's growth, or later, when new wood is formed of suf. fioient length for the purpose. Layers put down in the autumn will become well rooted by the end of the next season. CULTURE. The Barberry, when left to itself, forms a dense shrub, with many stems, but when cultivated for its fruit a portion of the shoots sl/Mild be annually removed to allow the sim and air to more readily reach all parts of the plant, and assist iu developing the fniit buds. It may also be trained to a single stem, and when treated in this manner, some of the varieties will form shrubs ten to fifteen feet in hight. The fniit will also be larger and more abundant than when the plant is allowed to grow in the natural manner and without pruning. Each plant should be given plenty of room and not crowded, especially when fruit is the object of cultivation. Six to eight feet apart will be sufficient in ordinary soiL As before remarked, the Barberry wiU grow in dry and almost barren soil ; still, as no plant will produce the best results in such situations, it is best to give a good, deep and moderately rich soil even to plants that will grow in a poor one. VARIETIES AND USES. Berberls ynl^ariSi — This species and some of its varie- ties are probably better known in this countiy than any others. The most common is the original species, which is found growing wild in many places in the New England States. It is also quite common in gardens. The fruit is oblong, about half an inch in length and one-eighth across of a bright scarlet color, very acid, but of agreeable flavor. Figure 3 shows a small branch, with fruit and flowers of natural size, and figure 4 gives a magnified single flower. There is a peculiarity about the stamens worthy of notice^ 26 SMAIX FEtriT CULTUEIST. as they are endowed with a remarkable irritability. When the flower opens, the stamens all lay back against the Fig. 3. — BAJEBEKKT ELOWEB AND FKUIT. s, but when touched by an insect they spring up against the pistil, where they discharge their pollen. This motion may be pro- duced by touching the sta- mens near the base with a pin or other point. The ^'^" ®* Fig. 4. stamens discharge their pollen in a rather unusual manner. In most stamens the anther, or pollen- BAICBBBBT. 27 bearing portion, opens by slits, but in the Barberry a pair of little dooi-s, or traps, lift up to allow the pollen to fall out. Figure 5 shows two enlarged stamens — one closed and the other open. The fruit and flowers are not produced at the same time upon the plant, but as a matter of convenience they are both shown on the same branch in the engraving. The fruit is much used for preserves, pickles, jams, &o. The thorny character of the plant, with its upright, com- pact growth, makes it a very desirable hedge plant. The inner bark of the stem and roots is used in some countries for making a yellow dye. It is also used in Po- land and other portions of the East for tanning purposes. The best known varieties of this species are as follows : B. vulgaris albai — ^White fruited. — Not very productive, and not so vigorous a grower as the original. Bi vulgaris aspermai — ^A variety which produces fruit without seeds. It is not, however, constant^ and plants propagated from it will often produce fi-uit with seeds. This variety has been known and cultivated in England for more than two hundred years, according to Parkinson, Gerarde and other old authors. Bi vulgaris dulciSi — Sweet fruited. — ^Very similar to the Bpecies. The fruit is a little larger and not quite so acid, and leaves bright green and shining. This variety should not be confounded with the before mentioned species, Herberts dulcis, as the latter has black fruit of the size of a large currant, which is solitary, while that of the former is produced in racemes. B. vulgaris purpnreai — ^Purple leaved.— Leaves dark purple. On this account it is very ornazactulal, Bt vulgaris glauca< — ^Leaves pale grecc and glaucous not shining. B< vulgaris longifoiia. — ^Leaves longer than in tbo ape •lea/ otherwise the same. 9S BMAUi FEUIT CrXTUBIST. B. vnlgaris Intea.— Yellow fruited.— A variety wit! small yellow fruit ; not very productive. B. ynlgariS mitis.— Thorns small and not as rigid as in other varieties. B. Tulgaris nigra.— Black fruited.— Tournefort found his variety on the banks of the Euphrates, about one hun- dred and fifty years ago. He says that the fruit is of a sweet and delicious flavor. I am not aware of its being cultivated in America. B. Tulgaris purpurea.— Purple fruited.— Fruit dark red or purple. Leaves narrow, with few prickles. B. TUlgaris violacea. — ^Violet fruited. — ^Fruit violet colored. There are probably many other varieties of this species, as the seedlings usually vary considerably, especially when the seeds are taken from kinds that are quite distinct from the original species. Seedlings grown from the purple-leaved variety wUl show a great diversity of foliage. Some will have purple leaves like the parent, while others will be margined with purple or red, or be wholly green. Berberis Sibirlca. — Siberian Barberry. — ^Native of Si- oeria, where it is found growing among rocks on hill sides and mountains. The plant seldom grows more than two feet high. Fruit oval, red, solitary, peduncle shorter than the leaves. The following, which may be distinct species, or only rarieties, possess no particular merit as regards their fruit, out may interest the botanist or those who wish to make their collections as complete as possible : Bi Iberica. — Iberian Barberry. — Berries deep purple. B. Sinensis. — Chinese Barberry. — Berries dull red. B. Cretica. — Cretan Barberry. — Berries oval, black, »«ry astringent. BAEBEEET. 29 The Barberry is susceptible of great improvement, and might, if a proper amount of care were bestowed upon it, become a fruit of much importance ; whereas, at the pres- ent time, it is seldom admitted to the fruit garden, being mainly planted for ornamental purposes. DISEASES AND INSECTS. The Barberry is seldom injured to any considerable ex- tent by disease or insects. The leaves are sometimes in- jured by a species of fungus called ^cidium JBerberidis. It usually makes its appearance on the upper end of the leaves (fig. 6), then becomes scattered over the surface, and extends to the fruit. To the eye it appears like fine reddish dust. When these rust-like spots are examined with a lens, they appear as in figure 7, and when more highly magnified the whole is found to consist of cup-like cells, as in figure 8. These cups are at first covered with a thin, light colored film, Fig. 6. which, when the fungus be- comes mature, bursts and leaves the edges of the cup with the uneven margin shown in figure 8. "When this covering bursts, the cups discharge their spores or reproductive dust, which is scattered over the leaves and fruit. c^^T^-, This fungus or mildew has ^ ^ been supposed to cause the blight in wheat, and it is an old belief that the Barberry would cause K the grain near which it grew to S'ig. a blast. This belief has generally been treated as a superstition by scientific men, but recent researches show that it may have a foundation iu fact. Many of these minute fungi have in different generations very unlike forms. Thus, the spores of A will produce Tig. 7. BO SHALL FBUIT CULTirBUn. B. so unlike A. that it has been taken for a different fungus, and B. will again reproduce A. Thero Is a strong probability that the rust of the Barberry and the smut in wheat are both forms of the same ftmgus. The injury which it causes to the Barberry is very slight, but it may become so prevalent as to be worthy of particc lar attention. Ashes or slacked lime scattered over th. leaves in the morning, when the dew is on them, wotdc probably destroy it or check its progress. Another bligh* which affects the leaves later in the season, known as Jf» crosphceria Serberidis,is shown highly magnified in figun, 9. It appears in very minute spots, with fine, rib-like ap- pendages radiating from tha center, like the spokes of a wheel, the ends of each be- ing divided into several small branches, as in figure 10. This species of blight attacks the leaves so late in Fig. a. Fig. 10. the season that it causes but little if any injury. The illustrations of these and the other minute fungi given in subsequent pages, are taken from a work called "Rust, Smut and Mildew," by M. C. Cook, London. This charming little work is beautifully illus- trated, and as it describes many fungi common to both this country and England, we call the attention of oui readers to it, as the most available source of information concerning these humble, but, to the fruit grower, miport- ant forms of vegetation. I am not aware of any insect that is injurious to the Barberry. The peculiar (and rather agreeable than other- wise) fragrance of the flowers attracts numerous insects to the plant when in bloom, and their presence is probably for the purpose of gathering food, while they aid at the sama time in fertilizing the flowers by irritating the stameiift CHAPTER n. THE STRAWBERRY.— Fraoabu 17ATintAL FAMILY BoaOC&g. prune derived from fragrant, perfluned In reference to the ftsgrance of tht Unit. French, I'raeier; German, ErdbeerKfianze ; Dutch, AadbaU; Itallm, Flanta tU fragola; Spanish, ^«za. The name of Strawberry is said by Fryoi to be derived from the Anglo Saxon " Streoberie,'" either from its Btraw-llka banlms, or from their laying strown upon the gronnd. Other anthors give diffei^ ■nt derivations.] GENERAL CHARACTERS. Calyx flat or reflexed, deeply five-cleft, with the same number of bractlets, thus appearing to be ten-cleft. Petals five, white, erect, spreading. / Stamens many, usually about twenty. Pistils numerous, ' adhering at the base to the small seed-like fruits, these are situated on the fleshy re- ceptacle, which enlarges and becomes what is generally called the fruit or berry. Increased by seeds, runners and divisions of the roots. Stemless perennials, with or without runners. Leaves radical, divided into three leaflets, obovate wedge-fi)rm, coarsely serrate, evergreen. Root fibrons, rather woody, perenniaL SPECIES Fragaria reseat — Edible Strawberry, Alpine Straw- berry, Wood StrawbeiTy, &c. — Seeds superficial, on the conical or hemispherical fruiting receptacle (not sunk in a aavity). Flower stalks longer than the leaves, erect, hairy, luurs closely pressed upward. Fruit drooping, usually con- ical, sometimes globular. Leaves thin, pale green ; upper soiface uneven, slightly wavy. Native of Europe and America. 82 8IIAIX FRurr cultcbist. Fragaria COlIina. — Green Strawberry.— This is consid ered by some botanists as a species, but the only really distinct character is in its fruit, which is greenish-browu when ripe. Fragaria elatior. — Hautbois Strawberry. — Calyx re- flexed. Seeds superficial Flower stalks longer than the leaves, erect. Fruit round or oblate, usually drooping, but Bometimes erect, possessing a strong musky flavor. Hairs on both leaf and flower-stalks long, and widely spreading, somewhat reflexed. Leaves larger than in F. vetca, and more or less pubescent, covered with short hairs on both upper and lower surface, giving them a rough appearance. Native of Germany. Fragaria Indicai — India Strawberry. — A species with yellow flowers. Fruit not edible. Native of Lidia. Fragaria ¥irginiana. — ^Virginian StrawbeiTy. — Seeds imbedded in the deeply pitted receptacle. Fruit roundish, ovoid to conical, highly perfumed. Flower stalks shorter than the leaves, hairy ; hairs spreading, more or less erect. Leaves obovate, wedge form, yariable, coarsely serrate, usually dark green ; upper surface smooth, often shining. Native of North America. Chiefly in the United States and southern po"tions of Canada. Fragaria grandiflorai — ^Large flowering Strawberry. — Calyx erect, slightly spreading. Seeds set in a shallow de- pression. Flowers larger than in other species. Fruit Bweet, perfumed. Flesh firm. Flower stalks shorter thaa the leaves. Leaves smooth, usually deep green. SeiT» tares broadly ovate. Native of South America. msTORT. It is of little consequence to the horticulturist of the present day whether any particular kind of fruit familial to us was known in ancient times. Still, we often find our ■elves sending a thought back into the dim and uncertiuii STBA.WBEBBT. 88 past, picking up here and there a stray word or line thai informs us that some of the fruits now cultivated by us were also known to those of former tges. The number of such old time fruits is quite limited, and most of them are of quality so inferior that we would hardly be willing to exchange those of our time for tht productions of any period. The StrawbeiTy was probably not cultivated in olden times, as it is scarcely mentioned by the Koman writers on agriculture. Some who are most explicit in other matters pertaining to fruit-culture do not mention it, while Pliuy, Ovid and Virgil only casually refer to it, and this reference is not for the purpose of aiding its culture. From a few lines in one of those old works, we infer that the children in ancient times had similar tastes to those of the present, and that they found no day so hot, or hill so steep, as to deter them from seeking the little gems in the tall grass, or through bramble and wood. We, who were BO fortimate as to spend our youthful days in the country, can appreciate the following lines of Virgil, as translated by Warton, as they touch a heart-string whose vibrations send memory back to joyful days in the past : " Ye boys that gather flowers and etrawberrlet, Lo, hid within the grass a serpent lies." We learn from the ancient writers nothing in relation to Strawberry culture that is of any practical value. We are, therefore, compelled to turn to those of modem times for any reliable information. There are facts connected with the history of the Straw- berry that it is important for us to know. For instance, from what country, climate or situation were certain species derived ? If a species came originally from a very wann country, it is doubtful if it will ever be K) well adapted to a cold latitude as one obtained from a ellmate similar to the one in which it is to be cultivated. By hybridi^g, we may so intermingle species that it 9* 84 SlCAUi FBUIT CULTUROrr. will be difficult to tell from what particular source thej originated. Yet, if there be any feeble or tender element in their composition, it will be constantly showing itself; and a continual source of annoyance to the cultivator. It is for this reason that it is always desirable to know as much of the history and origin of a fruit as possible, specially if it is to be selected as the parent from which iiew varieties are to be produced. There are instances where a species has succeeded bettei in a foreign country than at home ; but such cases are only exceptional, and where the climates are similar, or the spe ciee naturaUy had a very wide range in latitude. The Strawberry is probably more widely distributed than any other plant we cultivate. The Fragaria vesca, or Alpine Strawberry, grows in the mountains of Greece and northward to Britain, where, in the latter country, it assumes a different form, and is there called the Wood Strawberry. The principal difference between the two is in the form of the fruit, the Alpine being conical, while the Wood varieties are round. The Alpine Strawberry is also a native of North America, being found in high woods and fields in most of the Northern States, and far to the North in the Canadas. There appear to be several natural varie- ties of this species in Europe, which have been known for several centuries. In 1483, the garden of the Bishop of Ely, at Holbom, in England, was celebrated for its excel- lent Strawberries. They were probably the common Wood Strawberries of the country — one with red fruit, the other white. The Alpines were introduced into England some two hundred years later. There are two original varieties the same in color as the Wood Strawberries, There are also monthly varieties, and those which do not produce runners. The original species or varieties appear to persistently letaia their normal charaoteiistics under all the varied STBAWBKBBT. Si ehanges whiob they have been subjected to in coltvyation. This constancy of the F. vesca may account for the &ct that no advance, of any importance, was made ia Strawberry cultui'e in Europe until other and more variable, as well as valuable, species were introduced. In 1578, Lyte, in his translation of " Dodoens HerbaU," mentions only the Wood Strawberry. Gerarde, in 1597, named the White and Red Wood Strawberry. In 1623, Casper Bauhin, in his " Pinax," mentions the White and Red Wood, Alpine, and Hautboy or Haarbeer Strawberries. ParMnson, in hia Paradisus, 1629, page 528, says that there are divers sorts in cultivation, and names the Red and White Wood, Green, Virginia, and another variety, which he called the Bohemian. In his Theatrum Botanicum, is- sued in 1640, page 758, he mentions a variety of the Al- pine, which, he says, is barren, producing no fruit. It was probably one of the Potentillas, and not a Strawberry, for he also describes another variety which, he says, has yellow flowers, and the seeds are in a dry, compact head, and the plant has smaller leaves, and creeps along the groimd with many fine stems. About 1660 a Strawberry grower at Montreuil, in France, U said to have produced a new variety from the seed of the Wood Strawberry. It was called the Cappron, but after- wards the Fressant. This is the first improved variety of which we have any account. It was in cultivation at the time that Evelyn translated Quintinies " French Gardiner," in 1683 ; also mentioned by Duchesne, about a hundred years later. The persistency with which some species reproduce themselves is quite remarkable, but not more so than the equally great variations that are constantly being developed m others. Those species from which we have produced the greatest •lumber of valuable varieties, generally show the greatest divATidtv of character in their natural or normal condition M SHALL FBUrr CULTUUST. The Virginian Strawberry, which is the most commoi Strawberry of our woods and fields, was introduced into England early in the seventeenth century ; but little atten- tion, however, was paid to its cultivation for nearly or quite one hundred years thereafter. But as soon as its valuable qualities were discovered, and it was found that by merely sowing seeds new varieties, greatly differing from the parent, were readily produced, it began to attract the attention of fruit growers, and received the care it deserved. It is the most fragrant of all Imown species, possessing a delightful, aromatic perfume, not surpassed by any other fruit. It is a robust and vigorous grower, withstanding the severe cold of our northern winters, as well as the burning sun of summer. It assumes very distinct charac- ters in different locations, those of the Western States varying considerably from those of the Eastern, so much so that the varieties grown from them usually retain their peculiar characteristics through an almost indefinite num- ber of generations. Among the varieties in cultivation at the present time we can recognize many whose parentage can be traced to the western plants, while others are unmistakably from those of the Eastern States. I will name a few of each class, and those who are acquainted with them will more readily recognize their peculiar characters than they could from any descriptions which I might give — only premising that the western class, as a rule, produce the largest, soft- est, and most acid fruit. The best known of the western type are : Austin, Iowa, Downer's Prolific, Green Prolific, General Scott, and Victory. Of the eastern type. Early Scarlet, Jenny Lind, Scott'f Seedling, Boston Pine, Brighton Pine, &c. The various forms observed in the F. Virginiana in dtf ferent portions of the country, have given rise to much dis BTBAWBEBBT. 81 ouarion as to \rhetlier all these variations should be classed as one species, or separated into different ones. Dr, Asy Gray classes them all as one species, and he is un- doubtedly correct. A few would-be authorities will not acknowledge that a species can possibly be variable, and still be the samft Consequently we often see long essays from such men, in which the IT. Virgmiana is divided into numerous species, such as F. Ulinoiensis, F. lowaensis, &o. We might with as much propriety separate our American chestnut into innumerable species, for there is as great difference in the nuts and growth of the tree as is to be found in the com- mon Strawberry. Free discussion in scientific matters is to a certain extent beneficial; but it is doubtful whether the present or fu- ture generations will be benefited by such dissertations as frequently appear in some of our rural periodicals or in our agricultural reports, purporting to come from intelli- gent men, while the fact is apparent to every one who has the least knowledge on the subject of which they treat, that said articles are a mass of errors, and the authors write for other purposes than those of giving information to the people. For a number of years the Virginia Strawberry had no successful rival in English gardens, though it was never so highly appreciated in Britain as here, from the fact that it is more acid and not so highly flavored in the moist cool climate of that country as in our own. The introduction of the South American species {F grandifiord) gave a new impetus to Strawberry culture in Europe. The fruit is naturally much larger and swseter than any of the other species, consequently it does not require so much heat to develop its saccharine qualities. That pe svliar sromatio sprightliness, which is such a prominent fSQ BUAIX FBITIT (!iri.TITBIST. feataru in the ^. Vtrginiana, is, ho-vrever, almost entirelj wanting in other species. The same dissecting process has been applied to the South American species as to our northern one, and it is sometimes called F. Chiliensis, F. JSonariensia, &o. — ^the name usually indicating the place from which the supposed distinct species was derived. That the different varieties discovered in the various portions of the country are quite distinct, everyone who is acquainted with them will admits Tet these variations are no greater than have already been mentioned in those of other species. The first account we have of the South American Straw- berry is in 1716, when M. Frezier, in his voyage to the South Sea, found it at the foot of the Cordillera Moxmtaina, near Quito, and carried it home to Marseilles, in France. It was at that time called the Chili Strawberry, and the Spaniards said that they had previously brought it from Mexico. We do not learn from any of the old French works that any new varieties were raised from the Chili Strawberry for at least fifty years after its introduction. Duchesne, in 1766, says "that Miller considered its cultivation as aban- doned in England on account of its sterility." The rmpor^ tations from other portions of South America appear to have met with better success, and about fifty years ago new varieties of the F. grandiflora, as well as of the Vjr- giniana, became quite abundant in England and on the Continent. At the present time the varieties of F. grandifiora appeal to be valued more highly in Europe than any other — at least we judge so from the fact that almost all of the new varie< ties imported of late years show more of the characteristics ot this species than of others. This may account for the &i]ure of so many of the new foreign varieties in the Northern States. The severe cold of our winters, and oni KTBAWBBBBT. M dry, hot Bommera, are two extremes that tbey cannot witb- stand. Occasionally we receive a variety which, by extra car* and protection in winter, will produce a large crop; but, as a whole, it is doubtful whether the Strawberry growers in the United States have been permanently benefited by the introduction of any of the new varieties raised from the grandiflora. They may have awakened a taste for more thorough experiments in Strawberry culture, and by hybridizing them with our more hardy kinds produced. new ones of real value. SEXUALITY OF THE STRAWBERRY. Naturally the Strawberry flower possesses stamens and pistils ; it is therefore perfect, as both of these organs are necessary for the production of fruit. Every botanist, from Linnaeus down to the present time, has described the Strawberry flower as perfect or bi-sexuaL Therefore, tp assume that this is not the normal charao ter (as a few writers of late have done) is to controvert all of our botanical authorities, and charge them with over- looking that which the most casual observer could have Been. When plants are taken from their native habitatM and placed under cultivation, they very often assume forms ^uite different from their natural ones. Sometimes a par ticular organ is suppressed, while others are enlarged ; thus we have the pistillate Strawberry and the double rose. Occasionally the seeds of domesticated plants are carried by birds or animals to woods and fields quite distant .from the garden in which they are cultivated, and if per- cliance they are deposited under favorable conditions they yiill produce fruit similar to that from which they ori- ginated. K we find a pistillate Strawberry or double rose growing wild, does it prove that tliese are the normal cha^ .tcters of the genus ? Far from it ; Vut it only shows that 40 BMAix rKtrrr cixltueist. plants are susceptible of change under certain circumstances^ and especially when these are not perfectly natural. The Strawberry be- longs to the same great natural family as the rose, but when placed under those artificial circum- stances to which it is subjected when cultivat- ed, instead of becoming double, (although semi- double varieties are occa- sionally " produced,) the stamens are sometimes ^^S- 11.— PBRrBCT floweb. suppressed, and varieties are produced with flowers con- taining pistils only. Fig. 13. — ^PERPBOT PLOWEB ENLARGED. Figure 11 shows what is termed a perfect or bi-sexual The pistils are in the center, while around thero flower. STEAWBBEEY. 41 are some twenty or more organs, which are called stamens. These are quite difiereht in appearance from the pistils, he^ ing longer, and each one is terminated by a small knob, which is called the anther. The anthers contain pollen, a Fig. 13. — SECTION OjB' pekfect flowek. substance that is necessary for the production of seed. In figure 12 is shown the same flower as in figure" 11, but, bt ing considerably enlarged, the stamens are more readily seen. The same flower is shown in figure 13, divided longi- tudinally tg show the parts still more distinctly, and their relative positions. ' Every so-called seed of the Strawberry has one pistil situated on its apex ; consequently it is a very important organ, inasmuch as it is through this channel that the influence of the pollen reaches the ovule or seed vessel. Tie stamens are situated on the calyx, and they may be artificially removed or suppressed by nature, in which case we have a pistillate flower which will produce ihiit, if the- pistils are fertilized from another flower. It is not important whether a flower produces its own pol- len or is supplied from another source. Kg. ii—mstil. Figure 14 shows a pistillate flower of i-ate flowers. the usual size, and in figure 15 the same enlarged. By com- paring these with the two preceding the difierence may readily be observed. 42 pM AT.T. FBurr cuLTtrEiST. The size of these is also variable; sometimes they are Fig. 15. — PISTZLLATE FLOWBE ENLABGED. considerably larger than those shown as of natural size. The flowers of Fragaria grandiflora are larger than those of other species, and sometimes they have seven pe- tals, as shown in figure 16, while five is the usual number. Another variation from the natural form, although very rarely seen, is that of flowers without any pistils. These, of course,* produce no fruit, and they are nothing more nor less than degenerated or de- formed specimens, and are not worthy of notice further than to show the pecuUar changes ^^g- le-'-^o^^^ ^"= 7 PET^a that sometimes occur in cultivated plants. The foregoing are the principal forms noticed in both STBAWBBBBT. 43 wild and cultivated varieties, but there are various gradar tions from each of these; for, while the natural flower gen- erally contains about twenty stamens, some cultivated varieties have less than half that number, while others, as I have shown, possess none. ' Consequently, if a variety is produced which has flowers destitute of stamens, it will be dependent upon others for fertilization. Many such have from time to time been produced and disseminated in the (ast fifty years. That some seedlings produced perfect flowers, while others have those that are imperfect, was ob- served in Europe at least a hundred years ago. This pecu- liarity was first observed in the seedlings of the Hautbois, but s^erwards in the seedlings of other species, although it does not appear to be of so common occurrence in Eu- rope as in the United States. The reasi a for this I am not able to state, unless it be because the Fragaria Virginiana, from which the greater portion of our varieties is produced, is more subject to the change than other species. It may be that our climate has something to do with it, but whatever may be the cause, the effect is apparent in many pistillate varieties of Strawberries in cultivation. Keen reported his observations upon this variation in the sexes of the Strawberry, in 1809, to the London Horticul- tural Society. This called the attention of growers in this country to the subject, but very little was said or written in relation to it until Mr. Hovey produced his seedling Strawberry in 1834. This being a pistillate, and the largest and best variety that had been as yet produced in this country, it gave rise to an immense amount of discussion upon the sexuality of the Strawberry. There appear to be a few men who are always ready to ride any new hobby, whether it has one leg or more. Consequently there were a few who imme- diately started the theory that the botanists had made a great mistake, and that the Strawberry was naturally di 44 SUAIX FEUIT CULTUEIST OBceoQS, L e., one plant bearing stamiaate flowers and thi other pistillate ones. Considerable excitement was created in consequence, and communications innumerable upon the subject were poured into our horticultural journals, each writer claiming to have discovered something new in regard this, to them^ wonderful phenomenon. One writer has for the past ten years or more, ahnosi annually, given the public a grand diagnosis of the case^ asserting that the pistillate varieties were the only ones to be depended upon for a large crop, and that they were naturally the most producrive, while the facts are that there are hundreds of perfect flowering kinds in cultivation that are fully equal, if not superior, to the most productive pis- tillates. That we have many very excellent varietiea among this latter class no one will deny, but that, as a whole, they are any better than the others cannot be sub- stantiated by facts. There is but one serious objection to the pistillate varie- ties, and that is, two kmds must be grown to insure a crop from one, or a perfect flowering variety must be grown near a pistillate to fertilize its flowers, or no fruit will be produced. This is impe'-atively necessary ; consequently the close proximity of the two kinds has led to much con- fusion, inasmuch as the runneis of tlie two are very liabla to intermingle, unless great care is exercised to prevent it I have usually found it more difficult to get pure plants ct the pistillate varieties than of the others, and the excuw given by the grower for the mixture was that the variety grown for tne purpose of fertilizing them had become in termingled. If this is the only reason, it is certainly » very lame one, as there is no necessity for the plants be- ing mixed, because setting the two kinds in adjacent beda will answer every purpose. But without presuming to advance a theory on the oub ject, I would suggest whether it is not possible tha^vAiT* snuLvrsKBRt. 4S tions may hare been made on giowing plants by the influ- ence of the pollen from different varieties. It is generally supposed that no effect is produced except on the seeds, but as it is most conclusively proved in animal physiology that the female retains the effect of the first hnpregnation in her system for years, may not the same be true of plants, and the admixture or deterioration of one, and the improve- ment of another kind growing in close proximity, be caused by the absorption of qualities each from the other? If the effect of the pollen reaches no further than the seeds, why is not the fruit (receptacle) produced without them. But we find that wherever the pistils are not fer- tilized the receptacle also fails, or if a portion only is sup- plied with pollen then the receptacle is deformed in pro- portion. Remove one, two, or more pistils before they are fertilized, and the berry, jusi at that point, fails to en- large or come to maturity. No seeds, no berry, is the rule. If the Strawberry seed was l&rge enough to be readily examined, we should probably see a difference in color and form just as we notice in mixed varieties of com. In the latter we can see that the influence of cross fertilization extends iurther than the seed, because its receptacle (cob) is often changed beneath the kernel to a color similar to that of the variety which produced the pollen. It is often asserted that the Hovey is better when fertil- ized with one kind than with another, and may not this be true further than that of being ftiUy supplied with pollen ? Strawberry culture would probably have been just as fer advanced if we had never haid a pistillate variety in cultivation, and much confusion would have been avoided. Had not Mr. Hovey produced so good a pistillate variety as he did, it is very likely that such kinds would have never been tolerated by fniit growers anywhere. But the advent of this variety gave a new impetus to Strawberry culture, and at the present time it is considered in some sections ai i standard market fruit 48 BUAIX VBUIT CUIiTUBISX. Another important consideration in cnltirating pistillate rarieties is to grow as a fertilizer a kind that prodaces an abundance of pollen ; besides that the two should bloom at the same time. 8TEUCTURE OF THE PLANTS. All the varieties and species of the Strawberry have a &mily resemblance ; still there is considerable difference in the form and structure. Some produce large stools, while others naturally divide into individual plants. One of the prominent features of the Strawberry is to multiply by runners ; yet among the Alpine or Wood species we have varieties which produce none or very sparingly. There- fore it is apparent that the different forms will require 6df- ferent treatment. Some have long, slender, wiry roots, while others have very short, fleshy ones, each of which require a soil suited to their growth, if the very highest development is obtained,^ Our native varieties, particularly those grown from the M Virginiana, have longer and more wiry roots than those grown from the F. grandiflora. Consequently they are better suited to field cultivation, and where the ■oil is not frequently stirred, or upon light soU, the roots will spread fui-ther in search of food and they are not so readily affected by drouth. There is another peculiarity in the form of the roots which is Worthy of attention. The native StrawbeiTy produces stools, but the crowns, instead of adhering to- gether, often separate as they become old, each producing Foots for self-support. To show more fully the peculiar form usually observed in the varieties of the F. Virginiana and F. grandiflora I have inserted the two following illustrations taken from the Strawberry Culturist. Figure 17 is an exact representation, half size, of a plant of the Boston Pine that is three years old. While it STEAWBEEET. 4:7 17.— OLD PLANT OF BOSTON PINB. 48 SHAix FBurr cui.tubist. ■hovrs a number of crowns, there are not more than two united on one stem. Varieties of this class naturally di vide, and do not form large or very compact stools ; con- sequently the crowns remain more nearly on the level of She surface than when they are united, as seen is figure 18, which represents a plant of Triomphe de Gand of the same age as the other. A, C and D represent the side crowns, and B the cen- tral one ; E, the old fruit stalk of the present season ; F, F, new roots starting from the base of the side crowns above the soil. In this variety the crowns are produced almost on the top of the old ones ; consequently the plants are continually becoming higher, until, at last, the new roots cannot reach the soU, and the plant languishes and dies. Although the Strawberry root is perennial, still one new root is of more importance to the plant than a dozen old ones. The diflference in the structure of the two plants suggests the need of a peculiar cultivation for 3ach, and by experience we have learned that many of our native varieties will remain productive for many years, even when allowed to grow without cultivation, while very few of the varieties of iPT grandiflora will succeed under similar treatment. To keep a succession of new roots and continued vigor for a number of years, those varieties with roots similar to the Triomphe should be grown in rows or hills, so that fresh soil may be drawn up to the plants when required. I do not wish to be understood as advocating the cultiva- tion of plants for a long time without removal, but throw out these hints for the purpose of showing that frequent re^ niovals are more necessary with some than with others, PROPAGATION. There are three modes of propagating the Strawberry in use at the present time, viz. : seeds, runners and divv sions of the roots. STEAWBEEET. 49 Fig. 18. — OLD PLAHT OF TBIOMEHB DB QJHSrD. BO SHAU. FBurr ottltubisx. Bt Sbbd. — To obtain seeds, the fniit should be gath ered -vrhen fully ripe, spread out and dried, thus preserving it in the pulp ; or the fruit may be crushed in water and the seeds washed out cleanly. The good seeds will sink and the pulp will remain on the surface, from which it cax be readily removed. The seeds may be sown immediately, or kept until the next spring. The plan which I have usnally adopted in raising seed lings is as follows : Gather the largest berries of the very best varieties to be obtained, then mix them with dry sand, crushing the fruit, and so thoroughly manipulating the mass that no two seeds will remain together. Then sow the sand contain* ing i^Iie seed, either in some half shady situation in the open ground, or in pots or boxes. The soil in which they are sown, should be light and friable, and the seeds not covered more than one-quarter of an inch deep. Keep the soil moist, and the plants will usnally begin to appear jn four to six weeks after sowing. When they have formed four or five leaves they may be transplanted into the open ground — ^if they have been started in pots or boxes. When sown in the open ground, it is best to let them remain in the seed-bed until the following spring, protecting them with straw, leaves or other similar ma- terial in winter. Transplant into rows at least two feet apart, and the same distance in the row ; keep off all run- lers the first season and hoe often. Occasionally a seedling will produce finit the second ieason — ^that is, plants started in the autumn will fruit the next spring ; but they will not be strong enough to bear fruit that will be a reliable indication of their future value. It is best to protect the plants the first and second winters, if no longer, so that they will have nothing to obstruct their full development. The third season, look over the plants very carefully when >n bloom, aad mark the sex of OTBAWBEBBY. SI Moh, BO that it shall be known when the iruit ia ripe whether the flowers are pistillate or perfect. When a variety has been produced that promises well, it should be carefully taken up and planted by itself, that its runners may liave an opportunity of taking root without inter* mingling with others. The plant may be removed just so soon as the character of the fruit is determined upon, always choosing a wet day if convenient ; if not, give the soil about the plant a good soaking, and then remove it with as much soil ad- hering as possible. Shade it a few days after removal to orevent its wilting. I would caution the novice not to be too sanguine about Ihe value of new seedlings, because they will very often appear much better the first season than ever after. A few years since I raised a large number of seedlings, and when ripe, a committee of six very competent gentle- men was appointed by the Farmers' Club of the Ameri- can Institute to examine and report upon them. Seventy varieties were marked and described as very promismg and worthy of flirther trial. Seventy beds were very thoroughly prepared, and each original plant carefully placed in the center of one of these beds. About a dozen runners were allowed to grow from each plant, and all others removed. The next season the same committee examined them again, and they reduced the number to seven. These were given more room and continued care until another season, when the number was reduced to three. • I give this as the result of only one experiment ; others might be given with similar results. It is a very easy matter to originate new varieties, but to get one that shall be superior, or even equal, to the best now in cultivation, is not so readily accomplished as some may suppose. I would advise every one to try, because there is i ohance of producing one that will be better adapted to 5a SMAU< PBtrrr cultubibt. I ho grower's soil or location than any that could be pro- iluced elsewhere. PROPAGATION BY RUNNERS, The varieties mainly cultivated in this country are propagated from the runners. The first produced are nsually the strongest and best for early planting, but those that are formed later in the season are equally as good when they arrive at the same age or size. A few theorists have maintained that the first plants formed near the parent stool were the only ones that should be used, and that they were far superior to the others, and would al- ways be more prolific. This assertion is not supported by facts ; consequently is not worthy of a moment's thought. To insure the rooting of runners, the surface of the soil should be kept loose and open, and if the weather is very diy at the time they are forming, it is well to go over the beds and cover the new roots as they are produced. When only a few very large and strong plants are wanted, it is well to pinch off the runner just beyond the first plant, that this may become strong and vigorous. POT PLANTS. In the first edition of this work I stated that it was a good plan, in order to insure the safe removal of the run- ners, to plunge pots filled with rich soil in the beds, and let the roots strike into them, then, when well rooted, the young plants could be taken up and removed with perfect safety. This hint seems to have led our strawberry grow- ers to introduce the pot-grown or layered plants, as a distinct feature in their business, and for the past few years the merits of plants thus propagated have been highly extolled m nurserymen's catalogues. To propagate plants m this manner is certainly far more expensive than to allow the runners to take root m the ordinary way, and without assistance on the part of the cultivator, and they STEAWBEERT. 53 are also -wortli more because less liable to fail when trans- planted or transported to any considerable distance. It is true that the pot-grown plants will yield a moderate crop the following season, an advantage which amateur cultivators appreciate far more highly than do those who cultivate fruit for market ; but it is a question if the few berries thus obtained are really worth the extra price asked, and the care required to produce them. This, however, is a matter for the. purchasers of plants to de- cide ; the propagator's province is to supply whatever is in demand. Any small plants which have not produced, suflBcient roots to insure their safety during winter, may be taken up and set in cold frames, where the roots will continue to grow until the soil is frozen. The richer and better the soil, the more rapid will be the production of roots, whether in frames or in the open ground. It is a good plan to cover the surface of the soil with fine pure manure before the runners start in spring. The runners draw their sustenance from the parent plant until they have formed roots of their own, but these roots should find food soon after they are emitted. If the beds can be watered, it will insure the rapid emission of roots. PEOPAGATION BY ROOT DIVISIONS. This mode is seldom practised except with the Bush Alpine Strawberries, which produce few or no runners. In the early spring, take up the stools and divide them, leaving only, one crown to the plant. If the old root is very long, it is best to cut off the lower end, and plant as deep as can be done without covering the leaves. SOIL AND SITUATION. No one kind of soil is equally well adapted to every va- . riety. A deep, rich, sandy loam is most generally recom- mended, and is perhaps on the whole the best. Still a light sand or heavy clay may be made, with a very little expense, to produce abundant crops. 54 SMALL FRUIT CUWUBIST. A deep soil, whether it be naturally light or heavy, is one of the requisites imperatively demanded by the Strawberry. If the soil is naturally very wet, it may re- quire underdraining ; but there are few farms on which a situation may not be found where deep plowing will not render the soil suitable for a Strarf berry bed. Thorough preparation of the soil is the very foundation of success, therefore no slovenly systgm— sucL as once plowing and harrowing — should be tolerated ; b^it the ground should not only be plowed, but cross-plowed, and if not natural- ly deep and friable, it should be subsoiled at least sixteen inches deep. If the cultivator will only bear in mind that one acre prepared in the best manner will produce more fruit than three or four acres fitted as is usually done, he will understand the importance of doing it well. There is not one acre of Strawberries in a thousand, that yields over one-half that it would if the ground was properly prepared before planting. It is with Strawberries as with other fruits — too many acres and too little care. The situation should be open and airy, because in such there is less danger of injury by late spring frosts. To secure early ripening, a southern exposure is pref- erable, and for a late crop a northern one. By planting the earliest varieties in a warm situation, and the latest in a cool one, the season may be considerably lengthened. MANURES. The Strawberry is not very particular as to the kind of manure it receives, provided it is in sufficient quantities. To tell a man who cultivates the Strawberry on the rich prairie soil of the West that he must apply manure to his soil before planting, would be considered a very foolish recommendation ; but to undertake to grow tliem on al- most any of our eastern lands without it would be equally absurd. In fact, most of our fruit growers in the Eastern States determine their profits in advancOj simply by the BTBA'WBBBBT. 85 ftmonnt of manure applied to the soil — ^the more iabundant the application the greater the profits. All plants require food, and it is evident that if it is not in the soil it must be placed there, or no satisfactory, re* bqUb will be obtained. In the Eastern States we gather fruit in proportion to the amount of plant-food which we 9lace in the soiL Old and thoroughly decomposed barn-yard manure is scarcely to be excelled for the Strawberry. But it is often the case that a sufficient quantity of this cannot be ob« tained, and if so, then the next best thing to be done ia to make a compost of barn-yard manure and muck, leaves or sods, using one load of manure and two of either of the others. Mix thein together, and let them remain in heap for three months or more, not forgetting to turn it over at least once a month. In heavy soils fresh manure may be used without injury, and if a liberal application of peat or light friable niuck is given it will be very beneficial In sandy soils a compost of muck and manure is one of the best fertilizers that can be applied. In fact, pure muck from the swamps, placed where it can be frequently stirred, will become in one season suitable to be applied directly to the roots of al- most any plant. If lime, ashes, spent hops from the breweries, castor pomace or any similar materials be added, even in small quantities, it will assist very much in its decomposition and fitting it for the use of plants. There are thousands of acres of land in the Eastern States that are now pro- ducing nothing, not even weeds, because manure cannot be obtained in sufficient quantities to make them fertile, and yet in many instances these very acres are bordered with muck-beds which are nothing more or less than inez* haustible deposits of manure. The time is probably not far distant when these ndnes ' B6 8HAU. VBVn CtTLTUBIBT. of wealth will be worked to an extent not dreamed of al the present tinier ■ Concentrated manures — such as bone, guano, poudrelt^ &c — are sometimes used upon the Strawberry with good results. It requires some care in their application, or the plants are liable to be injured thereby, Ashes are also valuable, particularly on sandy soils. They may be applied by scattering upon the surface at the rate of from ten to Vwentj bushels per acre. A far more preferable mode is to compost them with muck or leaf mold from the woods, but they should never be mixed with manure, for they will cause it to give off, in the form of gases, the very materials which should be re* tained. Lime is said to be injurious to the Strawberry, particu- larly when applied directly or alone. I have had no per- sonal experience with it upon the Strawberry, but have known several instances of failure, the cause of which was attributed to the use of lime. TIME TO PLANT. Spring and fall are the two seasons in which the Straw- berry is usually transplanted. Although with the requisite care the operation may be performed at any time during the summer, the spring seems to be the more natural and preferable one of the two. The plants are then just starting into growth after their long rest. The small amount of foliage which has sur- vived the winter is fully matured ; consequently it calls for very little nutriment from the roots. The warm spnng rains supply the plants with moisture, and the very atmos- phere of this season appears to be full of life. Fall planting is usually performed in August and Sep- tember in the Northern States. This season has one advantage, and that is: if th« plantH can be set so early that they will become %ml| BTRAWBBBBY. 07 rooted before cold weather, they will sometimes prodace a partial crop the ensuing season, as well as make a stronger growth, than if the operation is deferred until spring. When one has the plants so near at hand that they can be removed without having their roots exposed to the air for a few moments even, besides having an opportunity of' selecting rainy or cloudy weather for the operation, then it may be done in the autumn with success. But when the plants are to be brought from a distance, and when, as it will often occur, they arrive in a time of drouth, fall planting becomes a doubtful advantage. I do not wish to discourage fall trade in Strawberry plants ; yet from an experience extending over many years in both buying and Belling plants, I conclude that fall planting is far more un- certain than spring. PKEPAKATION OF PLANTS. When plants are taken up in spring there will be more or less dead leaves upon them ; these should all be re- moved, leaving only those that appear fresh and green. Some roots will be broken, and the sound ones, if long, cannot readily be placed in the ground again without be- ing crowded or otherwise thrown out of their natural position. To avoid any difficulty on this point, I always shorten them to at least one half their length. Figure 19 shows the position of the roots on a medium or small plant before removal. A, being the runner con- necting it with the parent plant ; B, a new runner on which other plants would have been formed, provided the season had been favorable for their growth ; C, D, the cross line showing where the roots should be cut after the plant is taken up. This shortening causes them to throw but a new set of fibrous roots from the cut ends. It also causes roots to be emitted more abundantly from near the crowa than would have been the case if the root! 58 SMALL FETJIT CITLTUBIST. had not been shortened. Figure 20 shows the same plant as it will appear after having been planted a few weeks. It is not necessary to trim each plant separately, but a handful may be pruned at one cut of the knife. Plants thus pruned are more readily planted, and the i "»o(*a are Fig. 19. — ^WHBKB TO PRUNEl BOOTS. easily spread out at the time, which is quite important, because each root can produce rootlets without being en- tangled with others. In transplanting in the autumn it is unnecessary to shorten the roots, unless they are so long that they cannot be conveniently planted entire. The roots of the Straw- berry continue to grow from the extreme ends until cold weather, and when moved in fall or summer the roots STEAWBEEET. 5& should be taken up entire, and carefully spread out when again placed in the soil. If the plants have been out of the ground long enough to cause the roots to have changed color and become dark and wilted, then they fihould be treated the same as those removed in spring. Fig. 20. — GROWTH OF PRUNED ROOTS. All of the largest leaves should be cut off from plants when removed, leaving but two or three of the center leaves, as a plant is far more likely to live if only this number is allowed to remain on it than if none are re- moved. We are now supposing that the plants are taken up without any soU adhering to the roots. If each plant is 60 SHAU. FEUrr CtrLTU^IST. movecl -with • ball of earth, then there will be no nooessitj for reducing the number of leaves, because the connection between the root and soil will not be broken, or, at least, not entirely separated; consequently they can continue to absorb moisture and nutriment for the support of al he leaves. Sometimes it may be advisable to " puddle " the roots, as it is called, before planting. This operation is per- formed by mixing water with soil until it is of the consis- tency of thin mortar ; then dip the roots into it, coating them with the mixture, which excludes the air and pre- vents wilting so long as it remains moist. A tenaciouE clay makes the best puddle, but it will sometimes adhere so closely to the roots as to become injurious. It is well to puddle, before packing, the roots of plants that are to be transported a long distance, and consequently be a long time on the journey. But the puddling should be washed off and the roots trimmed before plainting again. Roots that have been entirely excluded from the air foT any considerable time are likely to become soured, and ii is best to clean and refresh them with pure water before again placing them in the ground. PLANTING AND CULTIVATION. There is no one operation of more importance to the future success of a Strawberry bed than careful planting. Some cultivators plant with a dibble, making a small hole in which the roots are thrust, all crowded together in a mass. Plants may live under such treatment, but certainly cannot thrive so well as though their roots were carefully spread out in a natural position. A common garden trowel should always be used, and a hole made in the soil large enough to admit the roots without crowding. Set the plants just so deep that all of the roots will be covered, and no deeper ; for if th« •pown is buried it is very liable to decay, particularly in • STBAWBSKBT. 01 heavy soil. If a handful of very fine compost or manure B mixec* with the soil around them at the tinie of plant* mg it will very materially assist in their future growth. It js always best to select a cloudy day for planting, if possible, but when only a few are to be set out they may be watered and shaded, and their growth insured without any regard to the weather. The distance between the plants will depend upon what kind of cultivation is to be given them. The oldest method of field culture in this country, and the one practiced upon thousands of acres in the. Eastern States at the present time, is to plant in rows from two and a half to three feet apart, placing the plants about a foot distant in the rows. The beds are hoed during the early part of summerj or until the runners cover the ground, after which no atten- tion is paid to them until next spring. Then paths about a foot wide, and at a distance of four feet from each other, are made, thus forming beds with narrow paths, in which the pickers are expected to stand when gathering the fruit. Two or three crops are gathered from these beds before any change is made or cultivation is given, except that of hoeing or plowing out the paths each season before pick- ing time. When the beds have become so much crowded with weeds and plants that the fruit is likely to entirely fail, a plow is run through the center of each bed, forming a new path, the runners being allowed to take root and fill ap the old ones. Another crop or two is taken, and then the paths are again chaui^ed. Sometimes the beds are burned over in the fall after the weeds have died down and become dry ; or a heavy harrow is drawn over them soon after the crop is gathered, tearing up the weeds and a greater part of the plants ; while at the same time it breaks up the soil so that the few remaining plants will g[row with more vigor, and there will be room for the new 92 BMAIX FEUrr CULTUEIST. runners to take root. In this manner the same beds art cropped for ten or fifteen years. It is not the fancy improved varieties that are treated in this manner, but the older kinds, which are but a slight improvement upon the common wild berry. The forego* ing method of cultivation is certainly not to be recom- mended, but I have mentioned it because there are praba- bly as many acres of Strawberries grown and treated in this manner as are grown under any other system. Our eastern cities, particularly ITew York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, have been supplied almost entirely, until with- in a very few years past, from these half cultivated fields. We must conclude that such a method of cultivation is profitable; if not, it would have been abandoned long »go, although it is apparent that those who follow this (ystem are not afflicted with the spirit of progress. BIENNIAL SYSTEM. Another method which has of late years become very popular is that of planting in beds, say two or three rows in each, placing the plants about eighteen inches apart each way, and then leave paths of about two feet. The plants are hoed and all weeds destroyed as they appear. The runners are all allowed to grow, and the entire sur- face is covered with plants, except a path of about two feet in width between the beds. These beds are allowed to produce two crops, and then the plants are plowed under and some other crop grown on the land for one or two •easons, when it is again planted with Strawberries, if de- sirable. This is probably one of the very best systems in vogue. The first crop is sometimes the best, but usually the second is considered as the main one. It is much less trouble to plant a new bed than to clean the weeds out of an old one ; besides, a first rate crop can STBATrBEBBT. 63 not be expected from a bed where the plants have b» oome old and crowded. A few Strawberry growers renew thdr beds by plowing up all but a small strip of about a foot wide, leaving one of these every four feet. Then, by passing a cultivator or han-ow between these rows, the ground is leveled so that tSu» oew runners can readily take root. ANNUAL &TSTEM. This is one of the neatest systems in use, as weeds have no chance for getting a foothold, unless the cultivator is very negligent. The plants are put out in rows two to three feet apart, and about a foot apart in the row. They are carefully cultivated the first season, a crop taken the second, and then plowed under. To insure a full crop the soil must be made veiy rich, and the planting done in the fidl or ea'^ly spring, and in the most careful manner. FLANTINO IN BOWS OB HILLS. There are but few varieties that succeed so well when restricted to hills for a number of years as when allowed to produce runners. The varieties of M grandiflora are better adapted to this system than others, because they naturally produce large, compact plants. The usual method is to plant in rows three feet apart, with plants a foot apart in the row. All runners are cut off as soon as they appear, and the beds frequently hoed, or kept clean with a cultivator. In the fall the entire sur- fece is covered with a mulching of leaves, straw or coarse bog gra«e. The plants are covered as well as the ground between them. In spring the covering should be removed from the crowns of the plants, but lefb on between them, for the purpose of keeping the fruit clean and the ground moist After the fruit has been gathered, sufficient mulch- fltg may be applied to keep down all weeds, or all of it S4 81CAIX FBXTXr CULTUBIBT. may be removed, and a plow passed between the rowi Ic break up the soil, which will have become quite compact from being frequently traveled over in gathering tha fruit. New plants may be allowed to take root in the rows between the old stools, thus bringing them the second season into what is termed row culture. Some varieties will remain productive for several years under this treat- ment, but usually three or four years will be as long as they can be relied upon for a remunerative crop. I have practiced this system with many varieties, and believe that more fruit per aci-e can be produced (particularly with the foreign kinds) than by any other system. One strong stool, with plenty of room for its roots, and with the sur- face of the soil covered with mulching, will give more and .arger fruit than twenty plants that are crowded, and apon an unprotected soil For general field culture, and with most of our native varieties, the biennial or annual system would probably be less troublesome and equally as profitable. When pistillate varieties are grown they should be kept in separate beds, and every alternate one should be a per- fect flowering variety, and one that blooms at the same time with the pistillate. This bed need not be more than half the width of the others. GARDEN CULTUEE. The same systems recommended for field culture are equally applicable to the garden, but usually greater care will be given to a small bed than to a large one. Water may be applied so that the plants shall nevei itsdTer for the want of it. Liquid manure should be ap- plied, if very large fruit is desired, in addition to mak ing the soil rich. Different varieties may also be planted ; for it is not the most profitable market ii-uit that is always of the best STBAWBEBBT. 6S qaality. In fact, a very hard, firm berry such as ws would select for market purposes, is seldom so highly fla- yored as those which are more delicate. By giving an abundance of water, with liquid manure, a second crop is often produced upon many of our com- mon varieties. To insure a late crop, the first one must not be allowed to mature, but the flowers should be re- moved so soon as they appear in spring. Then Jceep off all new rurmers, and give plenty of water, and a fine crop in August or September is almost certain. The Boston Pine I have found to be one of the best varieties for producing a late crop when treated in this manner. The monthly Alpines are excellent varieties for garden culture, although they do not produce very large fruit. Give them plenty of moisture and a rich soil, and thert will be but few days from May to winter in which a dish of Strawberries may not be gathered from a bed of mod- erate size. The Bush Alpines are less troublesome than those that produce runners. This class of Strawberries vary but little when grown from seed, except that the fruit produced on the seedlings will be considerably larger for the first two or three crops than ever afterwards. This peculiarity of the Alpines is well known in Europe, and the growers of these kinds always renew their beds with seedlings, and never depend upon the runners of old ones for making new beds or plantations. It is no uncom- mon thing to find berries an inch in diameter on young seedling plants of Alpines, while on old beds they will scarcely average more than one-half of this size. The seeds may be saved and sown in the same manner as recommended for other kinds. The amateur who only cultivates a few Strawberry plants in his garden will appreciate the fruit he grows in 86 BMiOJ. VBUIT CULTCBIST. his own grounds far above any market value ; therefor* the cost of production is of very little importance, pro vided the results are satisfactory. It is not to be expected that a man in moderate cir^ oumstances will continue to grow fruit which costs mort than it is worth ; still there is a pleasure in producing ex- tra fine fhxit, even if there is no great profit in the opera- tion. Besides, I am not quite sure that extra care and cultivation will not, as a rule, prove to be as profitable as that which is generally called good culture. I have made several experiments for the purpose of thoroughly testing extra cultivation, most of which have been quite satisfactory. A few years since I prepared a sixteenth of an acre bj trenching it two feet deep, applying twelve large twu norse loads of pure, well-rotted cow manure, thoroughlj incorporating it with the soil tp the depth of one foot. I then planted this bed with the Triomphe de Gand Strawberry, placing the plants about two feet apart each way. A few runners were allowed to take root between the plants in the rows, but I removed all others. The ground was hoed often, and in winter the plants were protected with a coat of salt hay two inches in depth. The whole expense of preparing the bed-planting, hoeing and mulch- ing up to the time of picking the first crop was fifty dol- lars. The bed yielded a little over four hundred quarts, wbich, at the low price of twenty-five cents per quart, would have given a fair profit. The next crcp was fully equal to the first, and the expense incurred to produce it but vei-y little in comparison to the first. This bed con tinned in bearing for five years, and even then the lani was in good condition for any other crop. There are proV- ably many soils that are naturally as rich as this bed wai after being prepared, but in this instance it was impera- tively necflssary to enrich the ground to get even a mod •rate crcp. STEAWBEEEY. 67 An abundance of moisture is one of the requisites for producing large fruit, and the amateur should not fail to see that his plants receive it, particularly at the time when the fruit is ripening. Mulching the beds is a sure method of keeping the soil moist, besides it prevents the fruit from getting splashed during violent showers. The short mowings of grass from a lawn make an excellent mulch, besides it looks very neat — much more so than straw or leaves. In Europe a tile is sometimes used for the purpose of keeping the fruit clean, as well as for covering the soil and keeping it moist. These tiles are about an inch and a half thick, and twelve inches square, and in two - parts, as shown in figure 21. The | hole in the center is about four inches in diameter. The plants are placed ' a foot apart in the rows, and be- fore the fruit begins to ripen the tile is placed about them. If the rows are only a foot apart, jig. si.-strawbbrby then the whole surface will be tile. covered, the soil will be kept moist, and the fruit clean. If water is required during the time of ripening, it can be applied directly to the plant by passing to the soil through the hole in the tile. These tiles could probably be obtained at any pottery or brickyard if ordered a few months in advance of the time they were wanted for use. It would be necessary to remove the tile after the fruiting season was over, and the soil should be worked over among the plants; if not it would become heavy and soured from being excluded from the air, A newly patented article, answering a similar purpose, has just made its appearance in this country. It is called H. A. Fuller & Co.'s Patent Strawberry Vase, and is manufactured by the above-named firm at Norwich, Conn. I 68 SMALL FEtrrr culttjeist. Figure 22 shows the form of the vase, with a plant grow- ing within it. Not having tested this vase, I cannot re commend it from experience ; yet it appears to be a good thing for the pui-pose designed. The manufacturers claim that it protects. the fruit from dirt and the vines from ■weeds, and that, by using it, double the amount of fruit will be produced on a given space than when the vines are cultivated in the ordinary method. ^'^- 33.-strawbkkbt vase. The runners are kept trimmed close to the edge of the v.nse, thereby concentrating the strength of the plant, and larger and better fruit will necessarily be the result. The flower stems will also grow much longer by being inclosed in the nock of the vase, while at the same time they will be supported by it, and the fruit will rest or hang over its upper part. The peculiar form of this vase will not only insure the reception by the plant of a greater part of the water that falls in the form of rain, but will make a direct application more convenient when applied artificially. When this vase is to be used the plants should be set one foot apai't each way, leaving a path every four rows. The vases will touch each other, and shade the ground, with the exception of the paths, which may be covered with a mulch of saw-dust, tan or other material. The present price, I am infoimed, for small quantities is twelve dollars per 'hundred ; consequently they will scarcely be used by those who grow Strawberries for profit, imless the yield of fruit is increased in proportion to the outlay. Nevertheless, all these peculiar contrivances are of in- terest to the Amateur, besides, it was by improved methods of cultivation and extra care that our largest and best varieties were first produced. BTKAWSKBRT. 89 Those old and long celebrated English varieties, Keen's Seedling and British Queen, Avere not produced from seeds gathered from neglected plants, but from tliose which had been stimulated by extra culture. And 'f we expect to keep on improving we must stimulate onr plants into a vigorous growth — ^not only the ones from which we gather the seeds, but the seedlings themselves. To produce large and extra fine specimens, only a few berries should be allowed to mature upon the plant When there are several fruit stems, select three or four of the strongest, and destroy the others ; also remove all ex- cept two or three berries from each. Large Strawberries are quite the fashion at the present time, and the amateur cultivator generally takes the Icadj merely because he applies the requisite means for produo ing the results. A few years since an amateur Strawberry grower brought some monstrous fruit to an exhibition held in one of our eastern cities, and they yfere so much largei than anything that had heretofore been shown, that he was offered and accepted a very large price for the entire stock of this variety. The purchaser sent his gardener for them soon after, and when he took up the plants he found the beds so filled with offal from a slaughter-house that the operation of removing the plants was anything but a pleasant one. Here were cause and effect but little separated. This is but one instance among the many that might be given to show that great results in fruit growing of any kind are only derived by direct effort on the part of the producer. Old plants seldom produce as large berries as young ones, and a fresh stock should always be provided, either by allowing a few plants in the fruiting beds to throw out runners, or by setting a few in separate beds every year *br that particular purpose. Plants that have been highly stimulated will seldon 70 SUAIX FBJtr CTTLTUEIST. last more than two or three years, and they will frequentlj fail after producing one large crop. The safest plan ii not to expect more than two crops, and to make the beds upon fresh soil, where no Strawberries have been ecrown for at least two seasons. FORCING STRAWBERRIES. The term forcing is generally used to indicate that a fruit is made to ripen at other than its season. In Europe the forcing of Strawberries has been extensively practiced for a long time, but in tbid country very little attention has been paid to this system of cultivation until within the past few years. There are few plants that will grow more readily, or produce more finiit in proportion to the expense incurred, than the Strawberry when grown under glass. \VTien only a few plants are to be forced, and the object is merely to obtain fruit a few weeks in advance of the usual time, then a common hot bed may be used for the purpose. The plants, however, should be prepared the season previous, and stored where they can be had when wanted in early spring. An ordinary green-house, such as is used for tender exotic plants, will answer the purpose. But one which has a roof so low down that the plants will be within two or three feet of the glass is better than one that is conaider- ably higher ; besides, it will take much less fire to heat a low house than a high one. The soil in which the plants are to be grown should be exceedingly rich. A compost made of three-fourths old sods or turfy loam, and one-fourth barn-yard manure, will be found excellent for this pui-pose, and if there is consid- erable cow manure among the latter so much the better. Mix these materials together, and let them becom* thoroughly decomposed before using. Tt e moi e frequeo tly RTBAWBERBT. 7\ the compost is turned over, the less time it will require for its decomposition. Loaf mold from the woods or friable muck, with a little addition of pure sand, will answer in the place of sods. FREFARATION OF FLANTS. When the first runners appear upon plants in the open ground, fill as many three inch pots with the compost ai yon desire, and set them near the old plants from which you wish to take those for forcing, placing the top of the pot, just level with the surface of the soil. When the young plants ob the runners begin to show roots, place one on the soil in each pot, and lay a stone or a little soil on the runner to keep it in its place. The end of the runner should be pinched off just beyond the plant, so that it will receive all the nutriment furnished by the parent. When the young plant has become rooted in the pot, it should be taken up and the ininner cut off close to the plant ; then set the pots away in an open and airy place for a few weeks, being careful not to let them suffer for the want of water. Set them on flat stones, bricks or boards, so that no worms can have access to the pots through the hole in the bottom. When the plants have remained in the pots a few weeks^ they should be shifted into larger ones. Some prefer to place them in five-inch pots, and afterwards shift into six or eight-inch pots, in which they are to be fruited, while others make but one shift from the small pots. It will make but little difference, as either plan will work well if carefully done. The ball of earth containing the roots should not be broken when re-potting, but preserved whole. A few pieces of broken pots or brick should be placed in the bottom of these large pots for drainage. Ther« are a few gardeners who assume that drainage is it no importance, but from my own experience of several 72 SMALL FEtjrr CULTtrEI8T. years with a great variety of plants, I cannot indorse Ihn new theory of no drainage, particularly when the plants grown in pots naturally succeed best in a soil that ia deep and moderately dry. With the small pots, drainage is of little importance, but with those of larger size all surplus moisture should be allowed to pass through, leav- ing only what will usually be retained by the soil. The plants, after they have been placed in the large ;f ots, may be set close together, or plunged up to the rim of the pot in the open ground until wanted, care being given to keep them growing vigorously until within a few weeks of the time they are to be placed in the forcing-house. Water should be gradually withheld, so that the plants may ripen. It is not advisable to withhold water en- tirely, but give only enough to keep the plants from actually suffering for the want of it, and allow them a short period of rest before starting them again into growth. If runners should appear they must be pinched off. Those wanted for an early crop may be placed in the house the first of November, as it will be ten to four- teen weeks from the time the plants are. placed in the foreing-house before the fruit will be ripe. If a succession of crops is desired, then only a portion of the plants should be placed in the house at one time. The pots may be set on shelves or plunged in soil — ^the latter method is preferable, as there is less danger of the plants being affected by careless watering or change of temperature. The plants should now bo watered regularly, just enough to keep the soil moist, but not wet — the temperature of the house raised to 65 or 75 degrees in the day, and 50 to 80 at night, slightly increasing as the flower stems appear. The plants should be frequently, say every alternate day, syringed or sprinkled overhead until they bloom, then omit it until the fruit is set, after which it may be eontinued, but not quite so often as before. While the STKAVTBEBBT, 73^ plants are ia bloom, as much air should be admitted as possible wittiout lowering the temperature or allowing a direct current to strike u^jon the plants. In clear weather the plants will generally require water once a day, and sometimes twice. Care should be observed not to let the leaves wilt, but do not give so much water that the soil ■hall become sodden and heavy. A few applications of liquid manure may be beneficial,, provided the compost used is not suflioiently rich. When the fruit is set and swelling, is a good time to apply it, but withhold it after the fruit begins to ripen. The reserved plants should be stored where they will not be frozen. A light, warm cellar or walled pit, covered with glass, will answer the purpose — a place where they will receive light, and not be frozeii, yet so cool that they will not be excited into growth. Sometimes plants a year old are taken up in the fall and potted, and used for forcing, but those prepared as de- scribed are preferable. Forcing houses are sometimes so arranged that the plants are set directly in the ground without pots. A more vigorous growth of plant is se- cured by this metliod, but it is doubtful if the crop of fhiit is increased. Plants that have been once used for forcing should be discarded and not used for the same purpose again. It may be advisable, in cases of scarcity, to plant them out ■Ji the open ground in spring, for they will occasionally produce a moderate crop late in the season. All the different operations may be varied to suit the •ircumstances of the case, as in open air culture ; and I have only endeavored to give a general plan, omit- ling minute details, which the grower will readily »upply while the operation is in progress. At every step caution and a due amount of thought are requisite — such as preventing cold currents of air striking the plants 4 74 BMAIi FEXnX CULTUBIST. when in bloom, or chilling the roots by applying very cold water. Forcing Strawberries for market is not a common prac- tice, except near our larger cities ; but it will probably be- come more general in a few years than at present, partic- ularly if two to three dollars per quart can be obtained for the fruit, as has been done in New York for several years past. FOECINO HOUSES. Few, if any, structures have been built in this country expressly for the purpose of forcing Strawberries, The common lean-to or span-roof houses are principally used for forcing all kinds of fruits, and perhaps they Fig. 83.— POKOIHG HOUSB. answer as well as any other. In Europe many different styles are in use, among which there is probably none more unique or better adapted to forcing the Strawberry ■ than the one shown in the accompanying engraving, fig- ure 23. This is a lean-to house, but instead of the usual form of roof it is made up of a series of short frames, one above the other, like a flight of stairs. These frames resf BTBAVrSKHBT. Tfi apon oast iron brackets, fixed against the wall or upoK standards erected for the purpose, "Where the brackets are fastened directly upon the wall, access is had to the plants by lifting the frames from the front. But the one shown is wide enough to allow a passage behind the frames. The idea is a good one, which our own gardeners will not fail to take advantage of The plants in the frames are brought close to the glass, and there is no ex- tra or waste space, which requires just as much heat aa that which is occupied by plants. This style of house is said to have originated with the firm of Weeks & Co., Chelsea, England. Three different plans of these Eng- lish houses were given in the Gardeners' Monthly, in June, 1865. They may be heated with hot water, steam, or anv of the other modes usually employed. VABIETIES FOB FOBCING. Comparatively few experunents have been made in this country in forcing Strawberries; it is, therefore, not known which are the best varieties for that purpose. None but those with bi-sexual flowers can be used advan- tageously, inasmuch as in the still atmosphere of a house the pistillate varieties would be imperfectly fertilized, even if abundant perfect flowering kinds were grown among them. Forced fruit is not generally as highly flavored as that which ripens in the open air ; consequently only that of the best quality should be used, provided flavor is an object. Trollope's Victoria is a fine show fruit, and producei well when forced, but it is usually insipid. . Austin or Shaker, is equal if not superior to the last, but with the same defect, although not to such an extent. Its fine color and large size are very much in its favor tnd it usually commands a large price in market The British Queen is the must popular variety in Eng it SMAix FEurr :;nLTtrBisT. land for forcing, and it would probably be worthy of trifc here, although it does not succeed very well in the open air. Among our native varieties we have probably no bettei variety for forcing, taking flavor and productiveness into consideration, than the Boston Pine. The monthly Al- pines do exceedingly well, and the fruit is usually con- •iderably larger than when grown iu the open ground. THINNING THE FRUIT. It is sometimes necessary to take off a portion of the fruit from forced plants. This should be done as soon as it has set, thereby giving that which remains a bettei chance for full developnoieut. Numbers do not always in- dicate quantity, and, with ten to fifteen berries upon each plant, as many quarts will usually be obtained from a given space as with twice as many to each. Plants that are not over-cropped at first, may often be made to produce a second crop by giving stimulating manure soon after the first is gathered. One crop, however, is all that is usually expected with hose which do not produce any more naturally. HYBRIDIZING AND CROSSING. The Strawberry may be hybridized or crossed as readily as other fruits, but this having already been done to such »n extent between the -K Virginiana and F. grandiflora^ the results of special effort in the same direction will be rery uncertain, especially if we use the varieties under cultivation for that purpose. These being in many instances a mixture of two species, it becomes a difiicult matter to determine whether the cause which produced certain results originated with us, or wab the effect of some previous operation which had juBt made itself apparent in the seedlings. STBAWBEBBT. YJ lu Other -words, hybridizing hybrids is only tho mixing together of two compounds — the exact propoitions of neither being known. The pistillate varieties are always fertilized by other kinds ; their seeds are impregnated by whatever kind produces the pollen ; consequently the plants grown from them are natural crosses between the two or more, as the case be. It is very doubtful if any dependence can be placed upon the results of artificial crossing between any of the varieties of the two species named ; still, it may be worthy of trial. All that is required is to fertilize the pistils of one variety with the pollen firom another. For instance, if we select the "Wilson's Albany for the parent from which we wish to procure seeds, when tho flowers ^rst open, we take a pair of small scissors and cut off the stamens, being careful to remove every one. It is best to do this early in the morning before the petals nave fully expanded ; then set a bell-glass or a fine wire screen over the entire plant, so that insects, which go from flower to flower with pollen adhering to them, shall not fertilize the plant upon which we are operating and thereby defeat our object. In three or four hours after the stamens have been removed, the pistils will probably ba suflSciently developed to receive the ppUen, at which time cut a folly expanded flower from the variety that has been selected for the other parent, and apply its stamens to the pistils of the Wilson's Albany. The stamens may be cut off and allowed to drop on to the pistils or merely brushed over them. Three or four flowers are sufficient, and all that it is safe to undertake to operate upon on a single plant ; all others should be removed before they open. Each flower must have its stamens removed and its pis. tils fertilized in the same manner; and as they will prob* biy not all open in one day, they must be attended to su© eessively as they bloom. TB SHALL VBT7IT CULTUKIST. Mark the plants, and keep the screen or bell-glasis ovei them for two or three days, When the seeds are ripe, gave and plant as I have already directed. There are a few Strawberry growers who place greal reliance upon their particnlar efforts in crossing, and when- ever they produce a new variety it is always (if we believe their assertions) a cross or hybrid between some two re- markable varieties or species. But to show how exceed- ingly difficult it is te know positively whether a seedling is a cross between the two varieties upon which we have experimented, or the result of some previous one, let us suppose a case. For instance, we will take Hovey's Seedling and fertil- ize it with the Wilson, and from the seed of the former raise a variety that shall resemble the latter more than it does the Hovey — would this be positive proof that the seedling was the result of our especial effort ? Not at all, because similar varieties may be and are produced from the Hovey without artificially fertilizing its flowers from the Wilson or any similar variety. And further, the Wilson is probably a seedling of the Hovey, and it possesses naturally the same inherent char- acteristics which only require an opportunity, which seed- lings afford, to show themselves. Direct efforts to improve are commendable, but the causes of results are not always what are supposed, and assertions are not to be implicitly relied upon. The in fluence that one variety has upon another by fertilizing b generally supposed to affect the seeds only, but from many experiments which I have made, I am quite certain that it extends further. Every Strawberry grower is aware of ''-^ fact thai whenever a portion of the pistils are not fertilized, the berries will be proportionately deformed. If there are no leeds, then the receptacle, which we call the fruit, is abor tive. But if we are to suppose that the influence of the RTBAWBBBBT. 79 poflen extends no farther than the seeds, why does not the fruit enlarge and come to maturity without seeds, ai we see in other fruits, particularly those which produce their seeds within a fleshy receptacle, as the grape, ap- ple, &0. With corn, we can see the effects of cross-fertilization in the color of the grains the first season, also upon th« receptacle (cob) ; thus, u this instance, showing con- clusively that the effect is apparent the first season upon the seed as well as beyond. It is quite probable that impregnation affects the whole plant, but not to an extent worthy of any particular at- tention. Still, from personal obserrationa upon this point, I am well satisfied that principles similar to those which govern the animal kingdom are potent in the vegetable. Because they are not so readily observed is no reason for iisputing their effect. The most careftd experimenter or observer is generally less positive in his assertions than the more careless, be- cause by thorough study he learns that although cause and effect are linked together, the connecting chain is of- ten not only hidden, but has so many ramifications that each cannot be traced with any degree of certainty. In giving names to new varieties errors are occasionally made^— sometimes purposely, and with intent to deceive, but let us hope more often carelessly or through ignorance. Many of my readers may remember the advent of Peabody's Hautbois Strawberry. The originator claimed that it was a cross between the Ross and Phoenix and the wild Strawberry of Alabama, neither of which belong to the Hautbois species ; conse- quently it was a deception to call the new seedling a Hautbois, although the originator had, according to cus- tom, a right to give it whatever name he pleased. Many other so-called Hautbois Strawberries have been u &r from what their name implies as the Peabody, and so suAix FBurr chxtubist. may have been applied through ignorance or design. It is very doubtful if there have ever been any true hybrldi produced between the Hautbois, or the Alpine, and other species. Sonie fifty years ago, a Mr. Williams, of Pitmas- ton, in England, claimed to have produced a hybrid be* tween the Hautbois and Alpine, which gave fruit without seed, but nothing more was heard of it beyond the an- nouncement of its production. Whether hybrids between the Alpines and Hautbois, or these and other species, have ever been produced is un- certain ; yet I think it possible and worthy of trial. WINTER PROTECTION. In many portions of the country a winter protection to Strawberry plants is very beneficial, if not positively ne- cessary. Some of our most successful growers in the Northern States never fail to protect their plants, and without doubt they are amply repaid for the expense in- curred. Fo)' my own part I never have had a full crop without giving protection, and never expect one. There can scarcely be a doubt that the great success of some cultivators, with particular kinds, is owing, in a great measure, if not entirely, to the winter protection of the plants. The embryo fruit buds are formed within the oroWn of the plant in autumn, and therefore it must bo apparent that sudden transition from heat to severe cold will very .nuch weaken if not wholly destroy them. In sections of the country where the plants are covered with snow during the entire winter, other protection is not so important as where there is little snow, but continued freezing and thawing. It is not expected nor is it desira- ble to protect the plants so that they shall not be frozen, but merely to shade them, and prevent their being aflTect ed by every little change in the weather. A covering of straw, hay, leaves, or any similar mats STBAWBBBBT. rial, to the depth of one or two inches will usually b« Buli'oieiit. Every one ought to know, if he does, not, that frozen plants thawed out in the shade are less injured by frost than when fully exposed to the light ; and this is another reason why Strawberry plants should be covered in win- ter, because, if the weatlier should be very changeable, they will be less liable to injury than when fully exposed to light. Protection is sometimes objected to, because it is said to retard the blooming of the plants, and the crop will be later in ripening. This may be true to a certain extent, but I have always thought that protected plants came for- ward more rapidly, when they did start, than the unpro- tected ones. The lost time may not be fully made up, but there will be but a very slight difference. In some sections of the country, retarding the time ot blooming would be very advantageous, as by this means the injury from late spring frosts would be avoided. The benefit of having late blooming kinds was quite apparent the past season, (1866), when a late frost was very de- structive through a great portion of the Northern and Middle States ; and the reports of the Strawberry crop furnished some amusing illustrations of the careless maa- mer in which some cultivators arrive at conclusions. The early blooming varieties came in for all the censure, while the late bloomers, which escaped the frost, received all the praise ; and still, with ' this very potent fact before him, scarcely a fruit grower, in making up his report of success or failure, alluded to the time of the blooming of the variety cultivated. The varieties of F. grandiflara in particular, require winter protection to insure a fu!' crop. The large, prominent crowns of these varieties are more liable to injury than the smaller and more compact ones of those of other species. When the plants are grown io beds, then a portion of the material used for protection 4* ffa BMAUi FBUIT CITLTirBlM. should be removed in spring, leaving about half an inch io depth, allowing the plants to grow through it, thereby affording a mulching that will keep the fruit clean as well as shading the ground. Saw-dust and tan-bark are sometimes used for mulching, but there is usually so much fine dust among them that the finiit will become more or less splashed during heavy rains. Spent hops from a brewery is a most excellent material for mulching the Strawberry ; besides, few insects will attack the plants or fruit where it is used. The young runners strike root very readily in spent hops, showing that it is an excellent fertilizer. Fallen pine leaves are found to be very good, as they keep the fruit clean, while at the same time they will have decayed so much as to interfere but very little with the growth of the plants. Some have suggested that the peculiar flavor of the Pine varieties is imparted to others by the use of this kind of mulching, but this is probably more in imagina> tion than in reality. Salt meadow and bog hay are excellent for a mulch, as also is straw or corn stalks cut fine. When the plants are cultivated in rows, the mulching snould only be removed from tlie crowns of the plants, and the entire amount allowed to remain on the ground between the rows. Another method of protecting the plants is to covei them with soil. This is done by passing the plow along each side of the row, turning the soil on the plants in the fall, and then removing it again in the spring. This plan might answer in light soils, but ihen a mulching would be siill needed in summer to keep the fruit cleaa This method has been practiced in a few places, but wit4 whtt success I am unable to state. STBAWBBBET. 83 DISEASES AND INSECTS. The Strawberry is peculiarly exempt from diseases, there-'being few which afEect it to any considerable extent. Sometimes a sudden change of weather will cause the flowers to blight, and no fruit will be produced ; but this cannot be classed as a disease, but merely as an accidental cause of failure. In warm, wet weather, the fruit and leaf-stalks will be affected by mildew, and the leaves at- tacked by a kind of rust which is called in Europe Straw- berry Brand {Aregma obtusatum). Mr. Cooke, in his late work on Microscopic Fungi, has given a description and highly magnified illustration of this species, which we quote, figure 24. The spores are produced inl^ |-^ clusters on the upper side ' ' of the leaves, and appear to the naked eye like minute yellow spots, but under a magnifying lens they have the form shown in the illustration, figure ^'S- 24.-stbawbebby bbasd. 24. As this fungus makes its appearance late in the season, it causes but very little injury. A kind of blight or rust is reported to have appeared on Strawberry plants in some of the Western States dur- ing the past few years, causing considerable loss to grow- ers of this fruit, but as I have had no opportunity of per- sonally examining the affected plantations, I am unable to express an opinion as to the cause or nature of the disease. In most cases of fungus diseases, dusting the plants with ashes or gypsum will be beneficial, even if it does not entirely destroy the fungi causing them. Insects are more injurious to the Strawberry than are diseases, and among the most destructive of these are the various species of the May Beetles (Lachnosterna), of 84; SMALL TEUIT CTJLTUEIST. whicli there are oTer sixty species already described as inhabiting the United States, and there are probably others not as yet discoTered by our entomologists. There is no locality, from "Washington Territory to Florida, in which one or more species of May Beetles do not abound, and the larvae or grubs of all are destructire to the roots of yarious plants, and especially those of the Strawberry. These grubs, when fully grown, are from an inch to an inch and a half long, of a whitish color, and with brown heads. They are commonly known as White Grubs, without regard to species. The most abundant in the Eastern States is Lachnosterna fusca of Frolich, a large brownish beetle, figure 25, which usually appears Fig. 25.— 3IAT BEETLE, about the first of May, or a little later, hence the common name. There are also several other species, more or less abun- dant, and appearing at the same time, but as all are similar in habits, they may be considered as one. These grubs are usually more numerous in old dry pastures and meadows than elsewhere, because their prin- cipal food is the roots of different 'kinds of grass. The old sods afford protection against the birds and animals which devour them ; consequently they often become very abundant in such places. If these grass lands are plowed and planted with the Strawberry, the grubs will attack the roots, and, if numerous, will destroy every plant almost as soon as it is put in the ground. In some sections of the country the white grub has very materially checked the cultivation of the Strawberry. The only remedy with which I am acquainted is, to occupy the ground with some crop which requires considerable hoe- ing and cultivation, for two or three years before plant- ing with the Strawberry. The grub is three or four years in attaining its growth. STEAWBERET. 85 and by continually manipulating the soil they are ex- posed to the attacks of birds, and many are destroyed by crushing ; besides this, the Beetles will seldom deposit their eggs in freshly disturbed soil. As all the May Beetles are nocturnal in habit, many may be taken by using tubs of water with a floating light in the center. A few hundred taken every evening during the tirst few Weeks of summer will do something toward diminishing the number of the succeeding generations in a neighbor- hood, but the birds and domestic fowls are the Straw- berry grower's most efficient helpers in the way of destroy- ing May Beetles and White Grubs. The grubs are greedi- ly devoured by birds ; the Crow being exceedingly fond of them. This much abused bird will always seek them on recently plowed ground, where, I regret to say, many a Crow has lost his life while devouring the White Grub ; he was benefiting the cultivator, who returned his kind- ness with a death-dealing bullet. From a pretty intimate acquaintance with the habits of the Crow, having kept several tame ones, I am well satisfied that they are far more beneficial than" injurious to the farmer. A crow will eat a hundred white grubs in a day, after he he has had a breakfast of an equal number of rose bugs. I do not state this as an imaginary case, but as a simple fact that I have proved many times. Prom experience, I firmly believe that the Crow is one of the most useful birds that we possess, although he does a little mischief now and then in the way of pullifl.g up corn. When domesticated he forgets those tricks of his wild nature, and, not being a timid bird, he is not frightened by hoe or spade, but when the earth is turned over he is gener- ally there to see and do his duty. At the time of writing this book, my strawberry beds and those of my neighbors had suffered more or less by a small green worm, at that time unknown to me or to any entomologist of my acquaintance. This insect was quite 86 SMALL FEUIT CULTURIST. destructive to the leaves of the plants, frequently strip- ping a plantation of its foliage in a few days. I have since ascertained that these worms are the larvae of the Emphytus maculatus of Norton, a small black fly, figure 36. This worm has received the common name of " Strawberry Worm," and appears to have become abun- dant throughout the Northern States, and really more destructive to strawberry plantations in the West than at the Bast, Prof. Eiley figured and described this insect in vol. 1, page 90, of the American Entoniologist. The worms are of a yellowish-green color, a little over a half inch long, and when feeding are usually curled up, with the extremity of the body hanging down, as shown Fig. 26.— FLT OP THE STKAWBBRRT Fig. 27.— STttAWBERRY ■WORM — BMLABGED. WORM. in figure 37. The parent fly appears in our Northern States early in May, and, as I have said, is of a black color, with two rows of transverse whitish spots upon the abdomen. The female deposits her eggs m the leaf stalks, first puncturing them by means of a saw-like instrument with which she is provided, and thrusting her eggs into the wounds thus made. The eggs hatch in a few days, and the young grubs immediately attack the leaves. When fully grown they descend into the ground, roll themselves up in a slender cocoon, the pupa remaining within until the following spring. Dusting the leaves with lime, when wet with dew, or just after a shower, is the best method with which I am acquainted for destroy- ing the pest. STEAWBEEET. 87 Another leaf enemy of the Strawherry is known as the " Strawberry Leaf -roller " {AncJiyhpera fragarice, "VTalsh and Eiley), of which figure 28, a, gives the larva of nat- ural size, and b, the moth, enlarged. This insect, like th& last, appears to he more abundant at the West than eastward. Still I have frequently found it on the plants in my garden, and I presume it is not uncommon in strawberry plantations throughout the country, but only noticed when so abundant as to strip the plants of their leaves. In feeding, it folds up the leaves, drawing the edges to- gether with silken threads, and then eats out the more tender or pulpy parts. Prof. Kiley /0imm^. , r- states that there are two « ■'•A broods of this insect dur- "' ^^^ • "• ^°"'- ing the year, the worms ^^- 28.-8trawbbrhy lbap-rolleb. of the first brood passing through their transformation on the leaves, the moths appearing about the first of July. The female moths deposit their eggs on the leaves, where they soon hatch, and the worms commence their work ; but those of the second brood, when coming to maturity late in the fall, descend into the ground, change to pupae, and remain in this state until the following spring. Owing to the habit these worms have of rolling them- selves up in the leaves, they are somewhat protected from destruction by any dry or liquid application that may be made to the plants for the purpose. Sweeping the leaves with a broom will disturb and destroy a few of the worms, but the most rapid method of destruction is burning off the leaves after the fruit is gathered, or passing a heavy roller over the plants in time to destroy the second or late brood in autumn. The Strawberry Crown Borer {Tyhderma fragaria, Riley), is another pest of the Strawberry, more or less abundant in the Western States and Canada, but I have 88 SMALL FEUIT CULTUEIST. not as yet discovered it in my own grounds, or those of my neighbors. It is a small Snout-beetle, a reritable Cur- culio, about an eighth of an inch long and half as broad, and ornamented on the back as shown in figure 29, which is an enlarged portrait of this pest. The grubs of this beetle bore into the crowns of the plants, as its common name indicates, where they .destroy the embryo fruit-stalks and kaves. The only remedy proposed is to Fi|,ifc=^fSi^a'R- plo^ ^P the infested plantations soon BfcHowN BOEEu. aftcr gathering the fruit in summer, while the grubs are still in the crowns of the plants. The Snail or Slug which is so abundant and destructive to the Strawberry and other garden products in Europe, has found its way to this country, and is now quite plentiful in some gardens near New York. These snails are great gourmands, and will destroy the fruit in quanti- ties if they become very plentiful. Hand picking, or destroying them with lime, is a pretty sure way of getting rid of this pest. The Plant Louse (Aphis), or Green Ply, as it is usually called, sometimes becomes numerous upon the roots of the Strawberry, particularly when the soil is quite loose and open, so as to admit them readily to the roots, upon which they congregate in immense numbers, sucking the juices of the plant, and thereby effectually checking its growth. A liberal application of dry ashes or refuse from a tobacco factory will usually destroy them. The Aphis also attacks the plants grown under glass, but they are more readily destroyed than the Red Spider (Tetranychus telarius), which insect is often very injurious. The best preventive of the ravages of the Eed Spider is a moist atmosphere, but when this cannot be allowed, flowers of sulphur should be freely scattered among the plants or upon the soil near them. The fumes of- melted STRAWBERSY. 89 sulphur will make quick work with them, but it requires great care lu its application, for should the sulphur take fire and burn, the fumes will destroy the plants also. Birds ai'e, in some portions of the country, very do- stractive to the Strawberry, but I forbear to suggest a remedy, because there are already too many effectual ones in use. VARIETIES. In the following catalogue I have endeavored to give the names, with a concise description, of all the Tarieties now in cultivation, which are worthy of it. To give a full description of all known varieties would require a volume by itself, and it is very doubtful if, when such a list was made, any one would take the trou- ble to peruse it. It is such an easy matter to raise new varieties, that a few men seem to have gone into the business, not for the purpose of improvement, but mainly to see how many varieties they could produce, and so they name each new seedling, and give it a glowing description, whether it is worthy of cultivation or not. Now, while I would not suppress any information that would benefit the public, I do not feel called upon to rec- ommend or give the names of all varieties that have appeared in the catalogues of some few of our Strawberry growers, especially of those who appear to always, have ready, if we were to believe them, some wonderful variety for every annual edition of their ca|alogues. Our enterprising fruit growers are supposed to know and procure the bast varieties, and when one has been before the public for from five to ten years, and then it is not found in general cultivation, it may be safe to conclude that the fruit grower lacks confidence in the originator, and consequently does not purchase it, or that it has been tried and discarded. The reader, if he has followed me through the preceding pages, will have noticed that 90 SMALL FEUIT CULTTJEIST. I recognize among cultivated Tarieties but two sexes, "viz. : Perfect or Bi-sexual, and the Pistillate varieties. The latter kinds are marked pistillate; all not so desig- nated are perfect, and will bear fruit without the aid of others to fertilize them. DESCRIPTION OF VAEIETIES. The following are varieties of Fragaria grandiflora and F. Virginiana. Some of them show more of the pecu- liar characteristics of one species than of the other, while with a few it would be difficult to tell to which they were related, and it is very probable that they are a mixture of both. They were all produced in this country, and are called native varieties : Agriculturist ■ — ^Very large, irregular, conical, with long neck, large specimens often flat- tened or coxcomb shaped; color light reddish crimson ; flesh deep red, moderately firm, sweet, rich and good ; plant a very strong grower; leaves large, thick, dark green, with reddish petiole ; hardy and productive, and succeeds re- markably well on light sandy soils, as well as on those that are heavy. A valuable variety. Figure 30 shows a fruit of medium size in ordinary fleld culture. Originated with Seth Boyden, Newark, N, J. -Superseded by better sorts. Origi- nated among the Shakers at Watervliet, N. Y. Albion White.— See Lennig's White. Belle • — A new variety, which originated with J. B. Moore. I have not seen itj and only know of it bv re- Fig. 30. — AGBICnXTUBIST. Austin or Shaker.- STBAWBEKBT. 91 ports of Massachusetts Horticultural Society, where it is referred to as "yery large," or as "the largest Strawberry ever exhibited on the Society's tables." Bidwell. — Very large, conical ; bright scarlet ; flesh firm ; quality excellent. A vigorous grower and plants are reported to be very productiTe. A new variety not fully tested. Black DefiancCi — Large, irregular in shape ; dark glossy crimson ; flesh moderately firm ; high-flavored. Only moderately productive. The color is objectionable, as the berries, soon after gathering, assume a dull, stale appearance. Originated with E. W. Durand. Boston Pine {Bartlett.) — Medium to large, obtuse- conical ; color light crimson ; flesh but slightly colored, firm, sweet, most excellent ; fruit stalks very long ; plant vigorous and productive ; a fine market variety ; ripens early ; succeeds in both light and heavy soils, and is very hardy. Originated with 0. M. Hovey, Boston, Mass. Brighton Pine. — Medium to large, roundish-conical, with short neck ; color light crimson ; flesh rather soft, sweet and juicy ; plant strong, vigorous and moderately productive ; early. Originated with Mr. T. Scott, of Brighton, Mass. Bnrr's New Pine> — Once a very celebrated variety, but is now seldom seen in cultivation. Originated with Mr. Burr, Columbus, Ohio. Buffalo. — See McAvoy's Superior. Brooklyn Scarlet. — Medium to large, regular, conical, with neck ; color bright scarlet ; flesh rather soft, sweet and rich ; quality best ; plant a dwarf grower, producing very large stools, hardy, vigorous and productive ; one of the best for home use. Originated with A. S. Puller, in 1859, from seed of Peabody Seedling. One of the three "New York Tribune" prize varieties. % SMALL FEUIT CTJLTUEIST. Baltimore Scarlet. — See Scotch Eunner. Captain Jack. — Medium or small, regular, short eoni- cal ; bright scarlet ; flesh pink, firm ; poor in quality. A vigorous and productive variety, more highly prized at the West than at the East. Originated with Samuel Miller, Bluffton, Mo. Caroline. — Large, conical ; bright scarlet ; quality good ; plants rather feeble, and only moderately productive, l^ot fully tested. Originated with J. B. Moore, Concord, Mass. Centennial Favorite. — One of Mr. Durand's seedlings, of large size, irregular shape, but scarcely possessing sufficient merit to entitle it to a prominent position among better and more prolific sorts. Champion. {Windsor Oliief.) — Large, round; bright crimson ; flesh rather soft ; inferior in quality, but the plants are so vigorous and productive that this is con- sidered a very profitable market variety ; pistillate. Originated with Dr. J. C. NefE, Carlisle, Pa. Charles Downing. — Medium to large, round, obtuse- conical ; very regular in form ; bright scarlet, becoming darker when fully ripe ; flesh moderately firm, pink, juicy, with a rich, sprightly sub-acid flavor. One of the very best varieties in cultivation. The plants are vigor- ous, wonderfully productive, and succeed admirably on light soils, and bear profusely even in thick matted beds. Originated with the late J. S. Downer, of Fairview, Ky., and named in honor of the Veteran Pomologist of New- burgh, N". Y. Cinderella. — Large, conical; bright scarlet, glossy; moderately firm ; of second-rate flavor. Plants only moderately productive. A handsome and attractive va- riety. Originated with Oscar Felton, of New Jersey, who has also raised "several other sorts. STEAWBBEET. 93 CoL Cheney • — Small, long-conical ; bright scarlet ; flesh soft, wateiy, poor flavor ; plants vigorous and pro- ductive. A poor thing at best, although it has been highly praised by certain dealers who were anxious to sell planfs. Pistillate. Col. Ellsworth, — Superseded by better sorts. Dis- carded, because unproductive. Continental — A large, dark crimson berry ; said to be of good flavor and the plants very productive. I give this only on hearsay evidence, not having se^n the .plants growing. Crescent Seedling. (Figure 31.) — Medium to large, somewhat irregular conical ; bright scarlet j flesh rather soft for a market berry, but ■will do for short distances, or when carefully handled; quality fair, not rich ; the plants, however, are of such a vigorous growth and so * j o" ' 6 productive that this variety Vd J ^\, has become quite a favorite i^ ^^^a^ infT among cultivators for market. ^^a^KSm^^^ Originated with Mr. "William Parmelee, New Haven, Conn. This is quite a different berry from the old and long since discarded "Orescent Seedling," which originated at the South. Crimson Cone. (Pine Apple, Scotch Runner, etc.) — Medium, regular, conical, with long neck ; seeds deeply imbedded; color light, bright crimson; flesh firm, sprightly acid, with a rich flavor, and highly perfumed. Figure 33 shows a fruit of the usual size. One of the best Strawberries in cultivation, although too small and acid to suit some people. This is one of the old market 94 SMALL EBUIT CULTUBIST. kinds, and there are probably more acres of it in cultiva- tion for furnishing the New York market, than of all others put together. The flowers are perfect, and not pistillate, as has often been asserted. There is, however, another variety which is generally found mixed with it, and also called Scotch Runner, which has pistillate flowers. The latter variety is the true Scotch Eunner, for which see description. Crystal City, — A new Western variety ; handsome bright scarlet, but very indif- Fig. 33— cBiMaoN ferent in quality. I have no informa- coNE. tion in regard to its origin or value, except some brief notices which have appeared in western papers, and in a few catalogues. Said to be very early, Cumberland Triumph. — Large, smooth, and uniform in shape ; light bright scarlet ; flesh pale pink, soft, but of good flavor, A very handsome, vigorous grower ; the leaves deep glossy green, quite distinct. Requires a strong fertile soil, A valuable variety for amateurs, or for home use, but too soft for market. Originated with Mr. Amos Miller, Carlisle, Pa, Damask Beauty. — The only reference to this variety we have seen is by E. P. Roe, who says it is "a very distinct variety and interesting to amateurs, but of no great value." But just why it is "interesting" we are not informed. Downer's Prolific. — Medium to large, globular, light scarlet; seeds deeply imbedded; flesh rather soft, acid, not rich, but highly perfumed ; very early, hardy, and wonderfully proliflc. An excellent old market variety, provided the market is near by. Originated with J, S. Downer, Fairview, Kentucky. /lucliess. — Large, roundish, uniform ; Ijright scarlet ; STBAWBBEET. 95 flesh pink, moderately firm, good flaTor, but not best ; ripens early ; plants vigorous, and yery hardy and pro- ductive. This variety has an excellent reputation among those, who raise fruit for market. Originated with D. H. Barnes, Poughkeepsie, N". Y. DnncaHi — Medium, slightly conical, although often quite variable in form and size ; bright scarlet ; firm, ex- cellent flavor. A productive and valuable market berry. Originated with J. G. Lucas, Ulster Co., IT. Y. Dnrand's Seedling. — Large, oblong, or oblong-conical, sometimes flattened ; seeds but slightly sunken ; color scarlet; flesh firm, sohd, nearly white, of good flavor. : 33. — TxmAim. Fig. 3t— DURAND. Originated with Mr. P. W. JDurand, near Irvington, N". J. Figures 33 and 34 give a fair representation of two of the berries, showing its variableness in form. Early Scarlet. — Medium, conical ; light scarlet ; flesh firm, moderately acid. An old variety, but little culti- vated at the present time. Fillmore.— Large, obtuse-conical; dark crimson; sweet. SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. moderately rich and good. In deep, ricli soils this va- rietj produces a fair crop, but it is not generally popular among fruit growers. Pistillate. Originated with Samuel Feast, Baltimore, Md. Forest RosCi — Large, irregular, obtuse-conical ; bright scarlet ; flesh firm, of good flayor ; a superior market berry, but unfortunately it does not appear to be well adapted to all kinds of soils and locations. Where it succeeds it will rank high for market purposes as well as for home use. An ac- cidental seedling, introduced by a Mr. Fetters, of Lancaster, Ohio. Figure 35 gives a good idea of the size of this va- riety. From "American Agri- culturist," 1878. General McCIellan.— See McAvoy's Superior. Glcndale. — Large, oblong-conic ; bright scarlet ; flesh firm, with a brisk sub-acid flavor ; a vigorous grower and a very produc- tive, new variety, promising well for market. Introduced by Mr. "W. B. Storer, who found it growing in the cemetery at Akron, Ohio. Golden Defiance.— Large, obtuse- conical ; bright scarlet ; flesh mod- erately firm and of excellent flavor ; ripens quite late ; plants very vigor- ous, hardy, and productive. Prom- ises to be a valuable acquisition to our list of good sorts. Pistillate. Originated with Mr. Amos Miller, of Pennsylvania. (Figure 36.) Fig. 35.— FOBBST KOSE. Fig. 36.— GOLDEN DEFIANCE. STKAWBEBBT. 97 E1g.87.-H30IJ}EN SEEDED. Golden Seeded. — Mediuji to large, bluntly-conical, sometimes flattened ; dark crimson, with prominent yel- low seeds ; sweet and rich ; early, but succeeds only in a few localities and soils. It is prob- ably a seedling of a foreign variety. Originated in Canada with Mr. Eead. Figure 37 shows the form and size of a medium sized specimen. Great American. — Extra large, irregularly oval ; dark crimson ; flesh moderately firm, second-rate in flavor, but under high culture and in the originator's grounds it has yielded some of the largest berries ever seen in this country. Although this variety caused considerable ex- citement among strawberry growers when first exhibited, it was soon discovered that it required extra culture to produce extra sized berries. It has fallen far short of what was expected of it when it was first introduced. Origiaated with Mr. F. "W. Durand. Green Prolific. {NewarTc Prolific.) — Very large, round ; pale crimson or deep scarlet ; seeds slightly simken ; rather soft, very acid, without richness, and of inferior flavor ; fruit stalks long and stout; leaves very large and thick; one of the Iowa class ; vigorous and productive. Originated with Seth Boyden, Newark, N. J. Figure 38 shows a berry ^te- 38.-GKEEif pbolitio. of the average size under good culture. Hervey Davis. — Large, obtuse-conical ; bright scarlet ; flesh moderately firm, nearly white, flavor good ; season 5 98 SMALL FBUIT CULTUBIST. medium ; plants tall, vigorous, and productive. Origi- nated with J. B. Moore, Concord, Mass. Hooker.— Large, short, obtuse-conical, nearly globular; dark crimson ; very sweet and rich ; too soft and dark colored for market, but a fine variety for the amateur. The plants are a little tender, and should always be pro- tected in winter to insure a good crop. Originated with H. E. Hooker, Kochester, N. Y. Hovey. {Germantown, Young's Seedling.) — Large, conical ; bright crimson, handsome ; sub-acid, sprightly, good. An old and much esteemed variety, and largely cultivated for supplying the Boston market. Pistillate. Originated with 0. M. Hovey, of Boston, Mass., in 1834. Hnddleston's Favorite. — This variety has been dis- seminated by B. Y. Teas, Dunreith, Ind., who describes it as a very large berry ; bright crimson ; firm flesh, with a rich, spicy flavor. Said to be a vigorous grower and wonderfully prolific. Pistillate. Kentucky. — This is another of Mr. Downer's produc- tions, and, like all those disseminated by him, of consider- able value. Large, conical ; bright scarlet ; flesh white, moderately firm, excellent fiavor ; ripens late, and con- tinues in fruit a long time ; plants grow rather tall, but are vigorous, hardy, and prolific. A valuable variety, which has been fully tested over a wide extent of coun- try. Succeeds well on light as well as heavy soils. Ladies' Pine. — Small to medium, round ; pale orange- scarlet, with a slight crimson tint in the sun ; seeds rather prominent ; flesh soft, sweet and rich, highly perfumed, probably the most delicious flavored variety known. Ke- quires extra culture, and even then it is not very produc- tive ; nevertheless it is well worthy of a place in the most select collection. Pistillate. Originated in Canada, with Mr. Bead. Lady Finger. — Medium, elongated, conical ; color bril- STBAWBBEET. 99 liant dark scarlet ; seeds set in a deep open cavity ; flesh very firm, sub-acid, good ; plant hardy, vigorous and prolific. An excellent market variety. Originated with the Jate Benjamin Prosser, Burlington, New Jersey. rjg. 39. — ^LADT PINGBE. Fig. 40.— IiABT MNGEK. Figure 39 shows a berry of this variety of medium size, and figure 40 one of the largest. Lady of the LakCi — Medium, conical, with neck ; crimson ; flesh light colored, firm, not very juicy, but moderately good ; plant tall and vigorous, productive. Formerly quite a favorite in Boston market. Originated in Brighton, Mass. Laurel Leaf. — A new variety, of which little is yet known. Described as of medium size, slightly conical, with short neck ; light scarlet ; in fiavor good, but not superior ; plant only moderately vigorous and produc- tive. Originated with Mr. A. N. Jones, Le Eoy, N". Y. Longfellow. — Very large, elongated-conical, somewhat irregular ; dark glossy red ; flesh firm, sweet and rich ; plant vigorous, with large, healthy foliage, and with- standing the hot sun admirably. Productive and con- tinuing a long time in bearing. Originated with Mr. H. D. Webb, Bowling Green, Ky. loo SMALL FBDIT CTJLTUfilST. Lennig's White. {Albion White, White Fine Apple.) — ^Large, obtuse-conical ; seeds prominent, and of a pink or light crimson color ; fruit almost white, but with a delicate blush when exposed to the sun ; flesh pure white, melting, rich and sweet ; plant a vigorous grower, and moderately productive. This is evidently a seedling of Fragaria grandiflora, but one of the most hardy and productive, and, without doubt, the best white variety known in this country. It has been disseminated under several names, either through mistake or design. I re- ceived it under the three different names, and the lots being cultivated in separate beds, I, like many others, thought that they were distinct, until beds were pre- pared in a similar soil, and the same cultivation given to each, after which no difEerence could be discovered. I have since learned through Mr. Meehan, editor of the " Gardener's Monthly," that the supposed three varieties were all taken from the garden of the originator, Mr. Lennig, of Germantown, Pa. Longworth's Prolific— Large, roundish, oval or oblate; light crimson ; sprightly sub-acid, and good ; plant vigor- ous and productive. An old variety but little cultivated, although it is far superior to many new ones. Originated in the garden of the late Nicholas Longvvorth, of Cincin- nati, Ohio. McAyoy's Superior.— Large, irregular, roundish, the surface being uneven, with prominent projections; color varying from light to very dark crimson ; the flesh dark red, soft, sweet, variable, in some soils rich and sprightly, in others insipid ; vigorous, and usually very productive. Pistillate. The originator of this variety was awarded a 1100 prize by the Cincinnati Horti- cultural Society, about thirty years ago, but it has now become obsolete, and was long since discarded. I retain in the list on account of its history. STBAWBEEEY. 101 Marvin. — Large, elongated, somewhat beyond what ia usually termed conical ; bright crimson ; flesh firm, but juicy, rich, and high-flavored ; plant vigorous, stocky, and productive. A very promising new variety. Origi- nated with Mr. Henry Marvin, Ovid, Mich. Miner's Great Prolific— Large to very large; some- what irregular, but inclining to a globular form ; deep crimson ; flesh pinkish, firm, and of good flavor ; plant vigorous, leaves large, light green, quite glossy. A pro^ ductive and valuable variety, although the irregular form of the berries is somewhat against it for marketing. Originated with the late T. B. Miner, Linden, N". J. Monarch of tlie West. — Extra large ; globular, but often coxcombed; pale red; flesh soft, excellent flavor; plant vigorous on good soils, but only moderately pro- ductive. Valuable for its large size and good flavor. Originated with Mr. Jesse Brady, of Piano, 111. IVicanor. — Medium to small ; conical ; scarlet ; flesh with a reddish tinge throughout, firm, juicy, and of ex- cellent flavor ; ripens early ; the plants in my grounds have always been weak and unproductive. Still, I have seen them in rather heavy clay soils quite vigorous and carrying a heavy crop of fruit. Originated with Messrs. EUwanger & Barry, Eochester, N". Y. New Dominion. — A new variety unknown to me, but described by the disseminators of the plants as very large ; globular ; bright glossy red ; flesh firm, and of good flavor. Originated with Mr. C. N". Biggar, on the battle- field of Lundy's Lane. JVeunan's Prolific. — Large under high cultivation, but ordinarily only medium or small ; obtuse-conical ; light scarlet, with a short neck ; very firm, rather acid, but good when fully mature ; plants strong, vigorous, and pro- ductive. A very popular variety in the South, where it is extensively cultivated for shipping to northern mark- X02 SMALL FRUIT CULTTJKIST. Fig. 41. — ^NEW JEESET SCABLET. and good. Schroeder, ets, -where it may be seen among the first Strawherries of the season. Originated by a Mr. Neunan, of Charleston, S. C. New Jersey Scarlet. — Medium ; conical ; light bright scarlet, with long neck ; moderately firm, sprightly flavor, and good ; very early and productive ; the plant a s trong and vigorous grower. Succeeds admirably on the light sandy soils of New Jersey. An excellent market variety. See figure 41 for size and form. Originated near Burlington, New Jersey, Old John Brown. — Very large; broadly conic, pointed; light crim- son ; sweet, sprightly. Originated with Dr. H. Bloomington, Illinois. Orient. — ^Very large, and claimed to be the largest variety in cultivation ; roundish-conical, sometimes a little irregular ; bright scarlet, with glossy surface ; flesh white, moderately firm, quality ex- cellent; plant vigorous and pro- ductive, the fruit continuing of good size to the end of the season. A seedling of the Monarch of the West, raised by Mr. Oscar Felton, in 1876, and is one of several new varieties shown by him at the Cen- tennial Exhibition. Perry's Seedling.— Medium to large, globular, with a slight neck ; ^color bright crimson ; sweet, rich, ^S- ^•— ™krt. and sprightly. Raised by Geo. Perry & Sons, George- town, Conn. See figure 42. STEAWBEBET. 103 Pioneer. — Medium ; oval, witli a long neck ; bright scarlet ; sweet, and higUy perfumed. Very early, and appears to be gaining friends as it becomes better known. One of Mr. Durand's seedlings, whicb has not as yet been widely dissemiuated, although it has been for some time under cultiyation. President Wilder. — Medium; obtusely-conical, very regular ; seeds yellow ; skin bright glossy scarlet ; flesh firm, but juicy, and very high flavored. A very hand- some variety, but with me the foliage burns in summer, and for this reason, perhaps, the plants have never proved to be sufficiently prolific to warrant cultivation. In heavy or cool soils this would no doubt prove to be a valuable addition to even the most select list of Straw- berries. Originated with the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, Dorchester, Mass., in 1861. Russell's Prolific^ — Very large; irregular, roundish, conical, with neck ; deep crimson ; mod- erately firm, sweet, and perfumed; qual- ity good, in sandy soils very good ; the flesh is lighter color- ed than the skin ; leaves large, with wavy upper surface; lobes broadly ovate. Pistillate. Origi- nated with H. Eus- sell, of Seneca Falls, New York, in 1856. Satin Gloss. — Me- dium to large; Fig. 43. -sATm gloss. rather long-conical ; calyx very large ; bright glossy ver- , milion ; flesh firln, of good flavor. The large calyy and 104 SMALL FKTJIT CULTURIST. firm flesh of this variety make it an excellent fruit for shipping, as it is not likely to become bruised during transit. Originated with Mr. Oscar Felton, from seed of th3 Lady Finger. Figure 43 — from "American Agri- culturist," 1880. Scotch Runner. — Small; oval; bright scarlet; good flavor. Largely cultivated for market in New Jersey, but should have been discarded long ago, and its place filled by larger and better varie- ties. Pistillate. Figure 44 shows one of the berries of full size. Scett's Seedling. {Scarlet Runner.)— Medium ; elongated-conical ; bright light scarlet, very handsome ; sweet, rather dry, not high flavored, but good ; plants moder- ately vigorous and productive. An old i-ig. 44!^sooTOH variety, but little cultivated at present ; BUNNEK. yg^ j^ jg Qjjg qI ^j^g most beautiful berries we possess. Eequires good culture, and with it will yield an abundant crop. Originated about twenty years ago with J. Scott, of Brighton, Mass. Seth Boyden. {Boy den's No. 30. ) — Very large ; irregu- lar-conical, with long neck ; dull crimson ; flesh firm, rather dry, but sweet and of good flavor ; plant extr^ strong and vigorous, and quite prolific when grown in hills, but otherwise unproductive. This is one of the best market varieties in cultivation, and under good care and in rich soils, berries of immense size are readily produced. Originated with the late Seth Boyden, of Newark, N. J., and disseminated by him as No. 30 of his seedlings, but since his death, by conimon consent, it has been given the name of the originator. Sharpless. — This is another mammoth variety, and a genuine surprise to Strawberry growers generally, because it has proved to be all that was claimed for it at the time STEAWBEBRT. 105 of digsemination. XTniformly yery large ; often broadly wedge-form, wider at the base than at calyx ; light glossy red ; flesh firm, but juicy, rich, and highly perfumed ; plants vigorous and productive. One of the best. I re- ceived some of the first plants sent out by the originator of this fine variety, and they succeed admirably, never failing to produce a good crop. Originated with J. K. Sharpless, near Philadelphia, Pa., in 1872. White Pine Apple.— See Lennig's White. Wilson's Albany. — Large ; irregular-conical ; darl. mmson ; flesh firm, very acid, but good, and bears trans, portation well. One of the most productive varieties known. The plants will usually fail after producing one fuU crop, and the beds should be frequently renewed. This variety has probably done more towards advancing Strawberry culture in this country than any other variety that has appeared since the Hovey. Originated with John Wilson, Albany, New York. MISCELLANEOUS VAEIETIES. Within the past few years new varieties of the Straw- berry have been raised in such immense numbers that it would be impossible for any one man, or half dozen men, to test them all and learn their merits, or faults. But I may safely assert that not one in a hundred of these new kinds is an improvement upon the older and well known sorts. It is quite natural that the raiser of a new variety should look upon it with favor, and somewhat magnify its merits, for there are few Strawberries that do not possess some good qualities. It is an old saying that "some Strawberries are better than others, but all are good, and none actually bad." The success of a few origmators of new varieties, and the ease with which seedlings can be produced, have prompted hundreds of amateur and professional cultivators to try their luck in 106 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. this direction ; as a result, there are hundreds of varieties named and offered for sale which are not worthy of any consideration. In addition to these wbrthless new sorts, old and well known varieties of merit will often appear in a garden, which the owner has no knowledge of ever having purchased or planted. Their presence may be readily accounted for upon the supposition that they have been introduced with other eorts, or a few plants have come, attached to the roots of some tree or shrub received from a nursery or neighbor's garden. The extra care and attention naturally bestowed upon these waifs when found growing in some out-of-the-way place, has a tendency to strengthen the finder's belief that they are really new, because the care given them usually produces good if not great results. The Komeyn Seed- ling is one of these waifs, which I pronounced Triomphe de Gand the first time the fruit and plants were shown in New York, and although I was roundly abused for my presumption, the Eomeyn has at last found its proper place as a synonym of the old and well known Triomphe de Gand. The so called Maximillian, or Mexican Ever- bearing, is another variety which caused a good deal of excitement among Strawberry growers a few years ago, and although the story told of its discovery in Mexico and introduction into the United States, was enough to raise doubts in the minds of thinking men, still there were not wanting several, who had been generally acknowledged as authorities in such matters, to indorse and describe this variety as new and worthy of the highest praise and most extended cultivation. Two years after, this variety passed into the hands of practical cultivators, and it was generally admitted to be nothing else than the old Monthly Bed Alpine of Europe, a variety which has been in cultivation nearly or quite one hundred years, and known by at least a score of different names. Nearly all the varieties mentioned in. my " Additipftal STRAWBEEET. 107 List" in the first edition of this work have become obso- lete, showing that they received all the attention they merited at that time. I now make up another similar list, containing, besides new and not fully tested varieties, some old ones still retained in cultivation for personal reasons, or because they possess some peculiar merit, or characteristics, not common to other and more widely cultivated sorts. Austin or Shaker. — Old, but still retained in a few collections. CetywayOi — A pistillate variety from Ulster Co., N. Y. Promising for market. Champion of Richmond. — From Cumberland Co., Pa. Has only a local reputation. Chorlton's Prolific. — Productive, but too small, and poor in flavor. Col. Ellsworth. — Of large size, but second-rate in quality. Crimson Favorite. — Of extra fine flavor, but unpro- ductive. Cutter's Seedling. — Small, and of poor flavor. Diadenit— Soft, acid, and unproductive. Durand's Beauty.— New, promising. Early Adela.— Early, but too small. Eclipse. {Prince.) — Probably obsolete at the present time. Emily. {Huntsman's.)— Ssi^s^A. some flfteen years ago, but I doubt if it was ever disseminated beyond the orig- inator's gardens in Flushing, L. I. Endicott. — New and untried. Finch's Prolific— From Ohio; French's Seedling.— Old, but still retained in a few collections. •■: 108 SMALL FRUIT CULTUKIST. Fragaria lucida. — An old California Tariety, admired for its beautiful foliage. Georgia Mammoth. — Small, but the plants are vigorous and prolific. Golden Queen. — Has proved to be Trollope's Victoria, a foreign variety. Hart's Minnesota. — Highly endorsed by Truman M. Smith, President of the Minnesota Horticultural Society. Fruit large, but second-rate in quality. Ida. {Cochlin.) — Has been superseded by better sorts. Iowa. — Once famous, but probably not now in cultiva- tion. Kerr's Prolific. — Has a local reputation, but is not in general cultivation. Kramer's Seedling. — Originated at Dubuque, Iowa, in 1863, and a few years later sent out at eight dollars pel hundred ; but it is now almost if not quite extinct. Kirkwood. — ^New, but its value is not yet determined. Le Baron. — Once considered valuable, but has been superseded. Mammoth Bush. — A pistillate variety, with only a local reputation. Meade's Seedling. — A handsome, good-flavored berry, but too small. Metcalf 's Early. — Once a popular variety in Michigan, now very generally discarded. Monitor. — One of the " Tribune " prize varieties ; obsolete. Mount Vernon. — Supposed to be identical with Kirk- wood. Panic. — New ; proi>i.A«es to be a valuable variety. STRAWBERRY. 109 Philadelphia.— Old, but is still retained in a few col- lections. Pistillate. Piper's Seedling,— I have no information in regard to this variety further than that it is named in a few nurserymen's lists. Reed's Kansas Mammoth.— New and little known. Russell's AdTance. — A good berry but a feeble plant. Sucker State. — New and promising. Walden. — ^New and untested. Warren. — New; originated with Mr. H. L. Webb, Bowling Green, Ky. Wilding. — New; originated with Mr. A. N. Jones, Troy, N. Y. Wielandi — New and untested. FOREIGN VARIETIES. During the past dozen years there has been a veiy marked change in the opinion of our Strawberry culti- vators regarding the value of foreign varieties. Novel- ties in European catalogues are no longer sought so eagerly as formerly ; in fact, the importation of Straw- berry plants is now confined almost wholly to amateurs, and I am inclined to think that but few, of these gentle- men indulge in the once common practice of sending orders out to Europe for the latest novelties mentioned in the catalogues of English and Continental growers of this fruit. It is not because new varieties are not pro- duced as abundantly as ever, but simply because our horticulturists have learned from experience that few European sorts will succeed in this country, and that, at best, they are inferior on the whole to our new improved native varieties. The old Triomphe de Gand and Jucunda still hold a place in the catalogues and grounds of both amateurs and professional cultivators, but beyond these, it is seldom that foreign varieties are exhibited at our fairs 110 SMALL FBUIT CULTUBIST. or seen in market, with tlie exception of forced fruit. Of late the forcing of Strawberries under glass, in order to have the fruit ripen during winter, has become a business of considerable importance in the suburbs of nearly all our larger cities, and for this purpose some of the foreign sorts are said to be preferable to the natire, owing in part to their mild flavor, when raised under these artificial conditions. For the above reasons, I have thought best to retain the foreign list very much as it was in the first edition of this work. Many new varieties might be added, but little is known of them, and their merits would have to be taken on trust, while those here named have been pretty thoroughly tested by myself and other cultivators in this country. Ambrosial {WiGhohon.) — Large, roundish, dark red, sweet and very good, moderately vigorous and productive. Admiral Dundas. ( i!/ya«.)— Very large, irregwlar, of- ten flattened, pale scarlet, very juicy, and brisk flavored. Baron Beman de Linnick. (Mahoy.) — Very large, oblate or flat- tened cone, light scarlet ; seeds prominent; flesh pink, solid, sweet and perfumed. Bonle d'Or. ( Boisselot. ) — ' Very large, roundish, flat- tened, figure 45 ; color a bright, glossy, orange Fig. 45.— boule d'ob. scarlet ; seeds prominent ; flesh white, sweet and good ; plant robust and moderately productive. Bonte de St. Jnlien. (Ca»re.)— Medium to large, coni- STRAWBEBBT. ill eal, dark crimson, sweet and good ; plant quite vigoroni »nd very productive. BtJOQ. (2>e Jonglie.) — Fruit large, regular, bright, glossy red; flesh very solid, sweet and crisp; plant a very*dwarf grower, and with me very unproductive. Bicolor. (2)e Jonghe.) — Medium, conical, light crim son, sweet and good. A poor grower. Belle de Tibert. ( Vibert.) — ^Large, conical, light crimi ion, sweet, but not rich ; flesh firm. A handsome berry ; succeeds poorly, except in a very few localities. Belle Arieslennet {Demay.) — ^Very large, conical, dark crimson, poor quality, and usually unproductive. Carnolia Slagnai {De Jonghe.)— Jjaxge, oval, bright, glossy Vermillion; seeds projecting; flesh solid, pink, often hollow at the core, juicy and Stweet; productive. Deptford Finei (Myait.) — Large, pale orange scarlet, almost white in the shade, very sweet ; the plant a vigor- ous grower, but unproductive. Duke de Malakoff. {Qloede.) — ^Very large, irregular, dark, dull red, poor flavor, and unproductive. Elizai {Myatts) — See rejected list. £mmai {JDe Jonghe.) — ^Large, obtuse-conical, bright icarlet, sweet and good; plant hardy and moderately productive. A new variety that promises welL Elton Improredi — ^Raised at the royal garden at PVog< more, England. Large, conical, bright, glossy crimson; seeds prominent ; flesh solid, sweet, and good. Empress Engeniei {Knevett.) — ^Very large, irregular, flattened, dull crimson, poor flavor, unproductive. Frogmore Late Pine. (Ingram.) — Very large, conical, Bometimes flattened, biilliant crimson, firm flesh, and of good quality. A magnificent berry, but the plant burnt badly in summer, and is unproductive. 6* 113 SMAU, PKUIT CULTUEIST. Goliathi {Kittley's.) — An old variety placed in the re- jected list by the American Pomological Society in 1858, but still praise* by a few growers. It is worthless. Gwcntver. {Mrs. Clements.) — ^Medium, roundish or flattened, bright scarlet; flesh pink, juicy and sweet; vigorous, moderately productive and early. Haqninf (JETaquin.) — Fruit large, flattened cone, bright red; seeds prominent ; flesh solid, white, juicy and sweet ; plant hardy, requires very high culture and a moist soil to insure even a moderate crop. HerOi (-De Jbngrhe.) — Large, of a regular, globular shape, bright red; flesh carmine, very sweet; early. Ilillmaili — ^Medium to large, oval, bright scarlet. New ; from Gei-many ; not fully tested. Jncnnda. (Salter.) — Large, conical, bright light crim- son or dark scarlet, excellent flavor ; a good grower, but rather tender ; moderately productive. Figure 46. This variety has lately been reviv- ed under the name of Knox's 700, and it is said to be very prolific in Mr. Knox's grounds at Pittsburgh, Pa. I have cultivated it for six or seven years, but it has never proved to be any more productive than the mass of foreign kinds which I have tried. If it should prove valuable at the West, it will only be another instance among the many where the success of a variety is only local. KatCt {Mrs. Clements.) — Medium, conical, bright glossy red, solid, juicy, sweet, but sprightly ; very early. Fig. 46.— JUCBNDA. BTBAWBBBBT. Kimberley Pine. {Kimberley.) — ^Large, irregular, ovai or flattened, bright crimson; seeds very prominent; flesh rery solid, red, juicy and brisk ; productive, and late in ripening. La ConstantCf (2)e Jonghe.) — ^Large, regular, conical, bright crimson, fine flavor ; flesh firm ; ripens late. One of the most beautiful Strawberries known. The plant ia a dwarf grower, and requires a moist, rich soil, and even under the highest culture it is not very productive. La Sultanne. {De Jonghe.) — Large, conical, bright deep scarlet, of excellent flavor, but the plant a poor grower, and unproductive, Lncida Pcrfccta. {Gloede.)—^&vdi to be a cross be- tween the British Queen and the Fraga/na luoida of Cal- uornia. Large, round, bright salmon color ; flesh solid, Bweet and rich. It is worthless with me, but it is said to do well in some localities. Lorenz Bocrth. {De Jonghe.) — ^Large, oval, bright glossy red ; flesh dark crimson, solid, sweet, but sprightly ; hardy. Leon de Saint Lanmer. (Dupuy Jamin.) — Large, conical, bright pale scarlet; fletsh carmine, rich, juicy and sweet ; moderately prolific. LncaSi (2>e Jonghe.) — Large, roundish, oval, glossy crimson ; flesh hard, firm and crisp ; good flavor, and a very good grower. Marguerite. {Le Breton.) — Very large, long, conical, pale scarlet, sweet, but rather insipid. With extra culti vation it is quite productive, but the plant is naturally feeble. A very fine show fruit. Napoleon \\\, — ^Fruit large, of a brilliant mmsou; flesh firm, juicy ; plant vigorous. The Austin has been sent out from several establishments in this country undei this name. 114 SMALL FEUIT CULTUBIST. Oscar. {Bradley.) — ^Large, slightly conical, dark crim. son, sweet, rich and good. A very handsome variety, re- quiring extra culture. Prince's Frederick William. (Mvin.) — ^Large, round- ish, often flattened, light crimsoji, sweet, of fair quality, early, moderate- ly productive ; plant quite tender. Souvenir de Kieff, {De Jonghe.) — Very large, flat cone ; seeds very pro- minent ; bright glossy crimson ; flesh solid, pale red, juicy and good. Sabrenr. {Mrs. Clements.) — ^Medi- um, conical (see fig. 47) ; color bright •range scarlet ; seeds very promiaent ; itesh solid, white, sweet, and of high flavor ; productive. Fig. 47.— sabbetjb. Topsy. {De Jonghe.) — ^Medium, elongated, conical, (see figure 48,) bright light scarlet, sweet, sprightly and good ; plant moderately vigorous and productive. Fig. 48.— TOPST. Wig. 49.— tbiomphe db oand. Triomplie de Gand. — Very large, irregular, corneal, STEAWBBBBT. but often flattened, as in figure 49, bright crimson ; flesb firm, crisp, not rich, rather mild flavor. This variety has probably been more extensively cultivated and given bet- ter satisfaction than any other foreign variety ever intro- duced. Among the hundreds I have tried, this has pleased toe most, because with good culture it has never failed to give a large crop. Ticomptesse Hericart de Thenry. {Jamin and Bw- rcmd.) — Large, irregular, conical, sometimes flattened, dark scarlet or light crimson ; flesh firm, sweet, rich and excellent; early and productive. This variety, like the Triomphe, has been cultivated and widely disseminated, and may be placed as second to none of the foreign kinds, Tineuse de JVanteSi {Boisselot.) — Medium to large, flattened, figure 50, bright glossy crimson; seeds very prominent ; flesh red, solid and sweet, with a peculiar vin* ous flavor. Kg. 50. — ^VttTBUSB DB NANTES. Fig. 51.— VICTOBIA. Tictoriai ( TroUope'a.) — Figure SI. Very large, round' ish-conical, light pale scarlet; seeds slightly imbedded, and set wide apart ; flesh nearly white, juicy, but not rich, often insipid. The productiveness of this variety is ex- tremely variable ; in some soils it is very prolific, while in others, apparently as rich, it is unproductive. It is an SMAIX FEUTT CUXTTJEISX. old English variety, discarded by nearly every cnltiv&tot in the country, yet it has been frequently brought out un- der a new name. Trembly's Union proved to be this variety, and was so declared by several fruit growers when it was first exhibited. The Golden Queen of Rochester, N. Y., is also said to be the Victoria. I might add a hundred varieties more to this list, but it would be only increasing the number of names without ad- ding any merit, and it is very likely that before these pages are read by fruit growers there will be another list of new kinds announced. ALPINE STRAWBERRIES. Alpine Red. {American Alpine, Berancon, De Hon- treuil a Fruit Rouge, De Montreuil a Marteau, Fressant, Dent de Cheval, De Ville de Bois) — ^Medium, conical; seeds projecting ; light crimson or dark scarlet, mild sub- acid, not rich, but good ; plant very hardy, and moder- ately productive. Alpine Red, Monthly. {Autumnal Qcdande, Dea Ah pes a F'uit Mouge, Des Alpes de tous les Mois a JFhtit Rouge, Des Alpes de deux Saisons a Fruit Rouge, Des Alpes de quatre Saisons, Alpine Rouge, Scarlet Alpine, •Prolific Alpine, JPoitou Alpine Monthly, Versailles Al- pine Monthly,' Da Mendonaise, Glory de IsTancy Alpine, d/C, So.) — Similar to the common Red Alpine, but pro- duces a continuous crop throughout the entire summer. Requires high culture. Alpine Wllite. {Alpine Blanc, De Montreuil a Fruit Blanc.) —Same as the first, except in color of fruit, which is white, and the leaves are of a lighter green. Alpine White, Monthly. {Alpine Blanc, Des Alpes a Fruit Blanc, Des Alpes de quabre Saisons, dso.) — Same as the common White Alpine, except that it bears a continu' DUB crop through the summer. STEAWBBEET. 117 Bash Alpine, Red. {Wood Strawberry, Bnisson a FHcit Houffe, Oommun satis JFileis, Sans Coulans Or- dinaire, Sans Filets' Ordinaire, De GaiUon a Mruit Rouge, t&c.) — Medium, roundish-ovate, sub-acid, rather iry, agreeable ; plant produces few or no runners ; propa- ijated by dividing the plants. Suitable for edging? of walks, or cultivating in pots or in very small gardens. Busb Alpine, White. {White Wood Strawberry, Butt- tons des Alpes Blanc, Buissons a JPruit Blanc, t&c.) — Same as the last, except in color of fruit. There are two other varieties, one with red and the other with white fruit, similar in every respect to the above, except they continue in bearing all the season. Green Alpine. {Be Bargemont, Breslinge d'Angh- terre, Caucasian, Green Pine Apple, Green Wood, Pow- dered Pine, Verte d'Angleterre, Frasier Vert, WilUam^a Green Pine, Gilbert's Large Brown, <&c.) — This variety is by some supposed to be a distinct species, but the ap« pearance of the plant and fruit show it to be a true Al- pine. Fruit small, roundish, depressed, greenish brown ; desh green, with a somewhat musky flavor. Cultivated more as a curiosity than for its fruit. One Leaved Alpine. {Fragaria monophyUa.) — Leaves simple, not divided; fruit same as the last. Raised in France in 1761 by Duchesne. Figured and described in Curtis' Botanical Magazine, vol. 2, 1788, plate 63. Prob- ably not now in cultivation. HAUTBOIS STRAWBERRIES. Belle Bordelais. — Roundish-oval, dark brownish pur pie ; flesh white, juicy, sweet, with a strong musky flavor. Said to produce a second crop in autumn, but has not with me, although I have given it good culture for the oast six years. Common Hautbois. {Fragaria elaiior, Biaecio^ia Siiut- lis BMAIX FBUIT CITLTUBIST. boit, .Musky JBautboia, »™- sects affecting the canes, the common Easpberry-Borer, oi Eed-necked Buprestis {Agrilus ruficollis), figure 63, is probably the most injurious, at least in the Western States. It is a small beetle of the form shown in the en- graving, with a red thorax or neck. The larva bores the /48 SMALL FBtriT CULTTJBIST. canes in summer, causing large excrescences or galls, check- ing the flow of sap, and causing the death of the cane. The Snowy Tree-Cricket {(Ecanthus niveus), figure 64, is another insect pest that appears to prefer the canes of the Kaspberry as a nidus for its eggs, to the twigs of other shrubs and trees. It will, however, if there are no Kasp- berry plants handy, de- posit its eggs in the Grape, "Willow, Peach, and other kinds of trees. Fig. 64.— SNOWY TKBE-CKICKBT. tj. l 1 J ^ Its long, slender eggs are deposited in a close compact row, each egg placed at a slight angle, and deep enough to reach the pith of the cane or twig. This weakens the canes, and they are often broken off by the wind. This breaking of the stems is not a serious loss, but the perfect insect has the very bad habit of cutting off the leaves of various plants in sum- mer ; and sometimes extends its mischievous work from Easpberry plants to Grape Vines, from which it cuts both leaves and fruit ; working at night when perfectly safe from observation. To get rid of the mature insect, I advise gathering the egg-infested canes and twigs in win- ter and early spring, and burning them. Of the insect enemies of the Blackberry, the Bramble Flea-Louse {Psylla tripunctata. Fitch; P. rub., Eiley) has been, perhaps, the most formidable of late years. The appearance of this insect in our Blackberry plantations, in, sufiBcienfr number to do any considerable damage, is quite recent, probably within the past ten years. It is a small in- sect, and is quite closely allied to the Green Fly or Plant- Louse {Aphis), but is distinguished from that by a differ- ent veining of the wings, and by having knobbed antennae, somewhat like those of the butterfly. These insects jump as briskly as a flea, from which characteristic they derive their scientific name. The presence of this pest in a Blackberry plantation is readily detected by the leaves of EASPBEKET. 149 the infested shoots in summer being twisted and curled up, and the ends of the young canes also curl over and frequently assume a singular fasciated form. In the fall the leaves on the infested canes do not drop ofE, but curl up, and remain attached to the diseased stems. This pest appears to be on the increase, especially in the Eastern States, and every one having Blackberry plants in his garden should be on the look-out for it, and, when found, it should be gathered and burned. This operation should be performed either early iu the morning or during the cool wet weather, else many of the insects will escape, and at the same time the shoots, as severed, should be immediately dropped into bags, and then carried to the place where they are to be burned. Several species of borers infest the Blackberry ; one of the most common is a red-necked beetle, the Oberea per- spicillata of Haldeman, figure 65. The small eyeless grubs bore the pith of tlie canes, causing them to die prematurely, or so weakening them that they are broken down by the wind. As there are some fourteen or fifteen species of the Oberea described in our entomological works, it may be that more than one infest blaokbbkrt the canes of the Blackberry and Easpberry. bush bobbb. The Blackberry is subject to the attacks of several species of gall-insects. A fuzzy, prickly gall on the twigs is produced by a four-winged fly {Dia^trophus cuscutce- formis 0. S). Another species of the same genus {Dias- trophus nebulosus 0. S. ) produces a large pithy gall on the canes, but both of these gall-makers have very formid- able parasitic enemies which keep them in check. There are also a few leaf-eating beetles, slugs, and caterpillars, that sometimes attack the Blackberry, but they are sel- .dom sufficiently numerous or injurious to attract much attention. The larger species are readily destroyed by ISO SMALL FEUIT CULTUKIST. hand-gathering, and the smaller ones can usually be driven off by dusting the plants with lime. DESCEIPTION OF VARIETIES. NATIVE SPECIES AISD VARIETIES. Class I. — The Black Caps {Ruhus occidentalis). American Blacki {Black Baspierries, Black Cap Raspberry, Thimble Berry). — Fruit medium, slightly oval, black with bloom ; sweet pleasant flavor ; there is but little juice, a greater portion of the berry being seeds. The plant roots from the ends of the young canes. In its wild state one of the most variable species known. Com- mon in all parts of the United States. American Wliite Cap. {Yellow Cap, Golden Cap.) — Fruit one-half to five-oighths of an inch broad ; slightly oval ; grains larger than in the preceding variety ; pale or deep yellow, covered with a white bloom ; sweet, juicy, rather musky, but agreeable ; canes light yellow, slightly glaucous, very strong, stocky, with a few short spines ; only moderately productive. This variety is also found wild from Maine to the Mississippi Eiver, and probably farther West. I have received it from nearly all the Northern States, and from the southern portion of the State of Delaware. American Improved. {DooKtile's Black Cap, Joslyn's Improved, Improved Black Cap Raspberry). — Large, blackj-with slight bloom ; sweet, juicy, of the same flavor as the Wild Black Easpberry ; canes very vigorous, with numerous strong-hooked prickles. The extremely thorny character of the plant is its greatest fault, as it is equally as disagreeable a subject to work among as the Blackberry. Very productive and hardy. Found growing wild by Leander Joslyn, of Phelps, Ontario County, N. Y. BASPBEBET. 151 Caroline. — Very large ; globular ; pale bufE or yellow, with slight bloom ; juicy, with a sub-acid flayor. Ex- cellent for one of its class. This is claimed to be a hybrid between the Catawisso, and Brinckle's Orange, but I think this is doubtful, as it is far more hardy and vigorous than either 'tff the alleged parents, and the canes and leaves show it to be a genuine offspring of Bubus occidentalis. It is certainly one of the best, if not the very best, of the Yellow Cap varieties. The plants produce a few suckers from the roots, and this characteristic is cited as proof of its being a hybrid. Originated with Mr. E. W. Carpen- ter, of Rye, N. Y. Davison's Tliornless. (Thornless Black Cap.} — About the same size and shape as the American Improved, but a week or ten days earlier. Canes strong and quite stocky, smooth, except a very few small straight spines near the base and an occasional one on the leaf-stalk. The thorn- less character of the plant is certainly a decided improve- ment upon those which produce thorns in such abundance as do some others. Originated in the garden of Mrs. Mercy Davison, in the village of Gowanda, N. Y. ; intro- duced to the public in 1866, by Joseph Sinton, Angola, Erie County, N. Y. Qresg. — Berry very large ; black, with bloom ; flavor about the same as that of all the best sorts, but not supe- rior ; ripens late, and with the McCormick ; plant vig- orous and productive. Pound growing wild in a ravine on the Gregg farm, Ohio Co., Indiana, in 1866. This variety has been highly extolled, and while I am ready to admit that it is a valua,ble variety of Black-cap Rasp- berry, I fail to see that it is in any way superior to many other older and well known sorts. JMcCormicko {Large Miami. Mammoth Cluster.) — ■ Very large ; black, covered with a whitish bloom. One of the very largest and best sorts in cultivation, ripening 153 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. some two weeks later than the Doolittle, and a week or more later than the Seneca. Plants very strong, vigor- ous, and productive, An old variety, found in Ohio some thirty years ago, but re-named and. brought out as new since the first edition of this work was issued. There seems to have been two varieties known as Miami. The large and small; the first, however, was known locally as McOormick, being named from the man who first cul- tivated and distributed the plants to his neighbors. miami Black Cap. — Large ; dark brown, almost black ; sweet, juicy, and good. A little later than the American Improved, and the spines not so numerous. Hardy, pro- ductive, and valuable. From the Miami Valley, Ohio. Ohio Everbearing. {Monthly Black Cap.) — Large; black ; sweet, and moderately juicy ; canes strong, and rather more upright than some others ; spines strong, hooked, and numerous ; very productive. The young canes produce a moderate crop in autumn. Cultivated among the Quakers in Ohio, and introduced to public notice many years ago, by N. Longworth, of Cincinnati. Seneca. — Large ; black, with slight bloom, and good flavor; plants vigorous and productive. An excellent sort to fill up the season between the earliest and latest varieties. A good market variety. Summit Yellow Cap. — Medium size ; pale pink or nearly white in the shade ; rather dry, but very sweet ; ripens a little later than the Common Black Cap ; canes strong and vigorous, pale-orange yellow, with considerable bloom ; spines short, slightly hooked, and rather numerous. From Summit Township, Crawford County, Pa. Surprise. — ^Very similar to the American Improved, but the berries are larger, more conical, and covered with a thick bloom ; sweet, sprightly,, and good ; a valuable Yarietv, Foiwd groyeiag wild in Missouri. RASPBERRY. 153 Class II. —Purple Cane Family. A portion at least of the following kinds are supposed to belonjg to the same species as the common Black Cap Raspberry {R, occidentalis.) But as they have a few characteristics in commouj which are not found in the wild Black Easpherry, nor in any other species, I have placed them in a list by themselves. This separation is not claimed to be a strictly scientific one, but as a matter of convenience. The old Purple Cane Easpberry is so well known that 1 have selected it as the type or representative of this The principal difference between the varieties of the Black Cap and the Purple Dane is in the fruit. The first, as is well known, have a rather dry, tough fruit, with a pe- culiar flavor. Its grains numerous, and very irregular in size. The fruit of Purple Cane, as a rule, is rather soft, juicy, often very brittle, the grains separating very readily. Color, varying from light red to dark brownish-purple, but never black; the flavor mild and agreeable, but en. tirely distinct from those of the true Black Easpberry. Catawissai — Medium, round, dark reddish-purple, rather brittle and soft, juicy, moderately good, canes strong, very branching, bark dark brown, and few hooked spines. Produces a second crop in autumn. If the whole stool is cut down in spring, the young canes of the season will come into fruit early, and continue bearing until winter. The fruit is borne principally on the ends of the shoots of those which do not bend down and take root. Suckers are also produced very sparingly, but if the stools are taken up, and the roots left in the ground, a greater number will grow than otherwice. The plant is quite tender in the Northern States, and even in the locality where it was discovered, it ie sometimes winter-killed. l&i SMALL FEtrrr CTJLTU'EIST. Fig. 66.— LEAS' OP PHILABKLPHIA. KASPBEBEY. BASPBEBRT. 155 I have cultivated this variety about ten years, and have never as yet had a plant survive the winter unless protected. It is of no particular value unless for the purpose of pro- ducing a late crop, and to insure this the entire plant must be cut down early in spring. This variety was found in a graveyard, in the Village of Catawissa, Columbia County, Pa. Eliisdalei — Large, roundish-oval, grains medium to large, quite regular in size ; color, light crimson or dark scarlet; rather firm and of good flavor ; canes very strong, light red, smooth, with a few straight spines near the base, and an occasional hooked one on the upper portion. The plant produces no suckers from its lateral roots, but propagates from the tips of the canes, the same as the Purple Cane. New, not thoroughly tested at the East, but considered as a very valuable variety in the locality where it originated. Found in 1856, by Mr. J. E. John- son, growing on the Ellisdale farm, in Pottawatomie County, Iowa. The stock was placed in the hands of H. A. Terry, of Crescent City, Iowa, for propagation and dissemination. Gardinefi — A very large, coarse growing sort, with large, dark, dull red, poor flavored fruit. I tested a few plants when it was first sent oiit, some fifteen years ago, and then dug them up. I am inclined to think that it received no better treatment from other growers, as it ap- pears to have dropped out of sight and cultivation. Ganarqnai — This is another variety of the Gardiner class, and having had a brief notoriety is passing out of cultivation. The fruit is rather large, well flavored, and attractive in appearance. This was claimed to be a hybrid when first disseminated. Purple CanCt {American Red Cane.) — Medium, or small, roundish, dark dull red, with bloom; grains large, soft, sweet, very good ; canes very strong ; growing eight 156 SMALL FEUIT CtTLTITEIST. to twelve feet long, smooth, with a few straight spines at the base, and a few hooked spines aboye ; vigorous and productiTe, fruit good for home use, but too soft for market. This Yariefcy has been in cultivation in the vicin- ity of New York for at least fifty years. Propagates from the tips of the young canes, and produces no suckers. Philadelphia. — Medium to large, globular, dark red, scarcely any bloom, moderately firm, sub-acid, not rich. fig. 67.— PHILAJ>BI.TilI/.. lior very juicy; grains large, a^'acire inci-e firmly than those ' of the Purple Cane; canes; tsrect, strong, and stocky, dark red or purple, branching ; spines very small, straight, and scattering, almost spineless; leaves large, dark green above, lighter beneath, very thick and tough, have a peculiar wavy appearance on the upper side, finely serrated. EASPBEEET. 157 Figure 66 sliows the general form of the leaf, and figure 67, a cluster of fruit of the average size under common field culture. The canes do not bend over and root from the tips, like the Purple Cane, but produce suckers, although rather sparingly ; very hardy and wonderfully productive. Found growing within the present liraits of the City of Philadelphia, some thirty or more years ago. It has lately become very popular as a market variety, and for some soils and locations is unexcelled. This is par- ticularly the case in the sandy soils of New Jersey, where all of the finest foreign varieties fail, and no amount of care will enable the growers to secure a remunerative crop. It has been widely disseminated in the past few years, and very favorable reports are being received from all parts of the country in regard to its hardiness and productiveness. Reliance! — This is said to be a seedling of the Phila- delphia, and resembles its parent, but, as usual, it is claimed to be far superior. I have not seen it, therefore cannot speak from experience as to its value, but those who saw this variety when exhibited a few years ago at Philadelphia, speak of it as strongly resembling its parent, the Philadelphia, with the same dull color. Class 3. — ^Vaeieties of Eubus steigosus. (Wild Red Raspberry.) » The common Wild Red Easpberry of our country pos- sesses many valuable qualities, even in its normal state, as every boy in the rural districts knows. Without any thought of varieties, he is aware that a certain locality, the bushes along a certain road, for example, give him better fruit than he can find elsewhere. But to produce new and improved varieties from it has 158 SMALL FBUIT CTTLTUBIST. seldom been attempted, because foreign kinds were at hand that apparently possessed qualities superior to our own ; consequently we have very few native kinds worthy of cultivation. This is certainly to be regretted ; inas- much as the foreign va- rieties are usually ten- der, while our native kinds are quite hardy, and there can scarcely be a doubt that if the same persistent efforts had been put forth to improve them, as have been expended upon the foreign sorts, we would now have varieties of the native species far superior to any that we have obtained from abroad. The variableness of the Hubus strigosus is worthy of being particu-. larly noticed by those who may attempt its im-, Fig. 68.— STEM OP WILD EBD. provcmcnt. Some of the wild varieties produce an immense number of suckers, others but very few. Some have very smooth canes, others are covered with close set spines or bristly hairs, as shown in figure 68. The fruit is also variable in color, from a dark red to a light bright crimson ; globular or conical in shape, and of medium size. Figure 69 shows a fruit of about the average size when grown in good soil. Figure 63 shows a fruit branch when coming into bloom, and figure 64, a leaf, both somewhat reduced in size. The EASPBEKET. 159 leaves are bright green and whitish-downy underneath, hut not so much so as in some of the foreign yarieties. Allen's Red Prolific— Medium, globular, light crim- son, separates freely from the core, . juicy, but mild flavor; canes strong, erect, reddish purple when mature; rig. 69. — ^FBUIT OT WILD RED. spines white, long, slender, very few and scattering ; leaves thin, oblong, pointed, evenly serrated, not toothed. Not very prolific, and produces suckers rather freely, but not so abundant as the next. Allen's Antwerpi — Similar in size, shape, color and 160 SMAIL FEiriT CULTUEIST. quality to the last, the leaves deeply serrated or toothed, and of more substance ; spines very numerous, and of a Fig. 70. — PLOWEEING STEM OF WILD RED. reddish-purple color. Both this and the precedinsf variety were sent out by L. F. Allen, Black Rock, N. Y., about EASPBEEET. 1 1 t ten jesLTS ago, but they have been placed on the rejected Pig. 71— LEAF OP WILD KED. list by the American Pomological Society, and ahnost uni- 163 SMALL FKUIT CULTUKIST. Tersally discarded by fruit growers. They were not claimed to be seedlings by Mr. Allen, but merely acci- dental varieties of the wild Bed Raspberry of his locality. I have been more particular in giving them a description, because it is very probable that they will again be brought forward by other parties as new and valuable varieties. Brandy wine. {Susqueco. Wilmington. ) — Medium to large ; round ; bright scarlet ; firm, and of agreeable flavor ; canes stocky, but rather short, of a reddish color, bearing a few light-colored spines or prickles ; plants productive, and very hardy. An excellent market variety, but because of its rabher dwarfish growth it requires a strong, rich soil. Origin unknown, but supposed to have been found near Wilmington, Del. Cnthbert. (Queen of the Market.) — Large ; roundish- conical ; bright red ; firm, but juicy, with a sprightly, agreeable flavor ; canes strong and stocky, well beset with small straight prickles; leaves firm, dark green, and resisting the hot sun as well as any of our native sorts. Very hardy and productive, and altogether one of the very best of our native red Easpberries. Originated in the grounds of the late Thomas Cuthbert, at Eiverdale, N. J., and disseminated by Mr. I. J, Simonson, of Staten Island, to whom I am indebted for plants, kindly sent me several years ago. It has been suggested that the Cuth- bert is a chance seedling of the Hadson Eiver Antwerp ; I can see no evidence of any such parentage, but believe it to be a true and pure Rubus strigosus. Kirtland. — Medium ; nearly round ; light bright-crim- son ; separates freely from the receptacle ; moderately firm, sweet, of the same flavor as the wild Bed ; canes very erect, nearly smooth, pale red at maturity ; produces a large number of suckers, quite productive, and the earliest of the class. The canes are also quite hardy. One of the best of the native varieties. Originated with Prol J. P. Kirtland, Cleveland, Ohio. EASPBERET. , 163 Class 4.— Foebigit Vaeietibs and Theie SEBDLiNQSi The greater part of the following kinds belong to the foreign species {Eubus Jdceics), but many of them origi- nated in this country from seed of the foreign Tarieties. The fact of their being produced here does not make them any the less or more valuable than those imported, although it will be conceded by most of our fruit growers that some of the yarieties raised in this country are equal, if not far superior, to any that have been obtained from abroad. As a class, the varieties of the E. Jdceus are larger and better flavored than those of our native spe- cies, M- strigosus, but there are very few of them that are hardy in the Northern States, and their leaves bum more or less at the South. Antwerp Red. {True Red Antwerp, Old Bed Antwerp, Knevetfs Antwerp, Howland's Antwerp, Burley's' Ant- werp, English Antwerp.) — Fruit large, nearly globular, dark red, with bloom ; grains large ; juicy, sprightly flavor ; canes strong and tall ; snines light red and nu- merous. An old variety seldom cultivated at the present time, as it has been superseded by the following : Antwerp. {^Hudson River, New Red Antwerp.) — Large, nearly conical, firm, of a pleasant, sweet, but sprightly flavor; canes short, stocky growth, with few spines ; the bark on the mature canes is of a peculiar grayish color ; very productive, but requdres winter pro- tection. This is the great market berry which is so ex- tensively cultivated in the eastern portion of the State of New York. Origin unknown, but supposed to have been procured in England, and brought to this country fifty years ago by Mr. Briggs, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Antwerp Yellow. ( White Antwerp, Double Bearing Yellow. — Large, conical, pale yellow, sweet, but not high flayored ; canes strong and vigorous, light yellow ; the 164 SMALL PEUIT CULTTJBIST. leaves are pale green; spines long, slender, wUte, on some canes very numerous, but scarcely any on others. Eather more hardy than the red, but not sufficiently so to omit protecting. Of European origin, and but little cultivated, as it is not so productive or good as somo others of a similar color. Barneti {Lord Exmoufh, Large Red, Cornwall's Seedling/i, Cornwall's Prolific, Barnet's Antwerp.) — Large, obtuse-conical, bright purplish-red, sprightly, pleasant flavor; canes tall, very branching, yellowish green. An old English variety of little value. Brentford Cane. — Small to medium, obtuse-conical, dark red, inferior flavor. An old English variety of little or no value. Placed among the inferior varieties in the nurserymen's catalogues of forty years ago. Belle de Fontenay . (Amazon. ) — Very large, irregular, long-conical, deep crimson, with a thin bloom, separates freely from the core, moderately firm, rather acid, but good ; canes very strong and stocky, branching ; leaves thick, dark green above and silvery- white beneath; spines reddish -purple, ' short and stiff ; very hardy and pro- ductive. Produces a second crop in autumn ; the best of the autumn- bearing varieties. It produces a great number of suckers, the larger portion of which should be removed as soon as they appear to insure a good crop of fruit. This has fre- quently been confounded with Mer- vielle des quartre Saisons, but it is distinct. Originated in France. Figure 72 represents a berry of this variety rather below the average size which it attains under or- dinary culture. It is very probable that the engraver Fig. 72.— BELLE DB FONTBNAY. KASPBEBET. 165 has rather reduced than enlarged the illustration of spec- imens placed in his hands. Brinckle's Orange.— See Orange. Burlington. — Large ; same color as the Eed Antwerp. Originaled by the late Benjamin Prosser, of Burlington, New Jersey. Belle de Palluau. — (Pig. 73.) — ^Very large; obtuse^. conical ; grains large, regular ; / light bright crimson, separates freely from the core, sub-acid, juicy, verj good, moderately firm; canes very strong; spines short, purple> not very numerous ; leaves medium, deep green ; lobes broadly ovate ; Fig. 73.-BELLB DE PAi,L,rAu. ggrraturcs very regular and sharp pointed; very productive, and will probably become a valuable market variety. Eequires protection in winter. From France. Clarke. — (Fig. 74.) — Large; roundish-conical; light crimson ; grains medium ; very sweet, rich, and high flavored ; parts freely from the core ; moderately firm ; canes very strong and stocky, erect, more or less branching ; spines white, the ends slightly colored, rigid, numerous at the base of the canes, scattering, and few above ; leaves very large, thick, rather flat, deep green above, and silvery white beneath, coarsely and un- , . J . ■ I^te- 74.— CLAKKB. evenly serrate ; very productive ; moderately hardy. Raised from seed by E. E. Clarke, New Haven, Conn., in 1856. 166 SMALL FEUIT CULTURIST. Cretan Red. — Small ; conical ; crimson or deep red ; sub-acid, poor flavor, not very productive. A very old foreign variety. Placed on the rejected list by the American Pomological Society. CopBi — Large ; obtuse-conical ; light crimson ; parts freely from the core ; rather firm, sweet, and good ; canes moderately strong ; spines purple, short, and numerous ; productive, but not equal to some other varieties. Origi- nated with the late Dr. Wm. D. Brinckle, of Philadel- phia, Pa., to whom we are also indebted fpr many valu- able varieties of the Kaspberry. Col. Wilder. — Large; roundish-conical; yellowish white or cream color ; very sweet, juicy, and good, but. rather soft ; canes strong and vigorous ; spines white ; leavfes dark green, somewhat crimped or wavy. Eaised from the FastolfE by Dr. Brinckle, and named in honor of Marshall P. Wilder, the distinguished pomologist of Boston, Mass. Cushinj?.— Large ; roundish-conical ; light crimson ; very regular in form ; grains small, compact ; separates freely from the core ; juicy, sprightly flavor, and good ; opines brownish-purple, stifE, and rather numerous; leaves large and thin, irregularly and coarsely serrated or toothed ; moderately vigorous and productive. Eaised by Dr. Brinckle, and named in honor of J. P. Gushing, of Watertown, Mass. Cntbush's Prince of Wales. — Large ; very regular ; ob- tuse-conical ; light crim3Dn ; rathei* dry, sub-acid flavor ; canes strong and vigorous ; spines purple, long, and slender, numerous ; productive. An English variety of no particular value, as many others are far better. Double Bearing:. — An old variety, which has been dis- carded by the American Pomological Society. Oowninilf. — Large ; regular, conical ; grains medium ; bright crimson ; juicy, sweet, and rich ; firm, parts freely from the core ; canes strong, erect ; spines very short and EASPBEEET. 16? stout, pale greon ; leaves very large, deep green, nearly flat when fully developed ; quite productive. A good market variety. Eequires protection in winter the same as the Antwerp. A seedling of the Orange, raised by Charles Downing, Newburgh, N. Y., who has no plants of any kind for sale. Duhring. — Large ; roundish-conical ; bright red ; firm, rich, and excellent flavor. A strong and vigorous grower', and said to be very productive and hardy. New ; not fully tested. Supposed to be a seedling of the Hornet. Originated on the grounds of Henry Duhring, Esq., Bel- mont, near Philadelphia, Pa. Emily. — Large ; roundish-conical ; pale yellow ; spines white ; vigorous and productive. One of Dr. Brinckle's seedlings, which proved unworthy of dissemination. Fastolff. — Large; obtuse, or roundish -conical ; crim- son ; grains large, soft, sweet, and rich ; one of the best in flavor ; adheres so firmly to the core that the berries are often broken in picking ; canes moderately strong and rather crooked ; spines purple, stiff, and quite numerous ; very productive. An excellent variety for home use, but too soft for market. An old English variety ; its name said to be from an old castle in Great Yarmouth, England. Fillbasket. {Northumberland Fill- basket.) — Large ; obtuse - conical ; crimson ; grains large, with thin bloom ; firm, sweet, not very juicy, but good ; canes strong, with purp- lish spines, which are quite abund- ant on the entire length of the cane; leaves large, thick, not so deep green as some ; the leaflets broadly ovate ; quite productive. An BngMsh varie- ty, introduced about ten years since. ^^- 75.— franconia. Franconia. (Fig. 75.) — Naomi. — Large; obtuse-ooni- 168 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. cal ; dark purplish-red, or crimson ; firm, with a rich, sprightly flavor ; canes strong, branching ; spines purple, stout, scattering ; leaves large, deep green, rather flat when fully developed. A valuable market variety. Ee- quires protection in winter. Preach. ( Vice President French. ) — Medium to large ; obtuse-conical ; crimson ; grains large : firm, sweet, rich, and excellent ; one of the best ; canes very strong, erect ; spines purple, stout, and numerous ; rery productive. A valuable variety. Supposed to be a seedling of the Fas- tolfE. Eaised by Dr. Brinckle, and named in honor of B. V. French, Vice President of the Mass. Horticultural Soc. Fulton. — ^A large, crimson variety, raised by Dr. Brinc- kle. Probably lost, as nothing has been heard of it lately. General Patterson. — Large ; round ; crimson ; adheres firmly to the core. One of Dr. Brinckle's seedlings. Herstine's Seedlings.— The late D. W, Herstiue, of Philadelphia, raised a large number of seedling Rasp- berries, and as some of them gave promise of excellence, he invited several prominent horticulturists of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, to visit his grounds and examine the plants while in bearing and full of fruit. The invited gentlemen responded to the request of Mr. Herstine, and visited his grounds on July 6th, 1870, Mr. Herstine had not performed any of the usual opera- tions of crossing or hybridizing, in order to produce these varieties, but merely gathered seeds from what was said to be the Allen, growing near the Philadelphia, as well as some of the foreign varieties. He thought that his seed- lings were a cross between the Allen and Philadelphia, but, as time has shown, this was doubtless an error, at least so far as relates to the parentage of the varieties selected and sent out as "Herstine's Seedlings." The four vaneties selected and described at the date named, are here given, instead of distributing them in alphabeti- RASPBERRY. 169 cal order. I will add that there is an unnamed seedling of Mr. Herstine's in cultiyation in several gardens in Bergen Co., -whicli has the appearance of being a cross between the Allen and the Philadelphia. I received a few plants of it from Mr. Herstine, in 187!^, labelled "Hers- tine's 0.," and the plants have been distributed among my neighbors, some of whom prize it' highly as a market variety. Oanes are red, quite distinct. Pruit of good size, and of a bright crimson color. Herstinei — Plant vigorous ; an early and abundant bearer ; canes strong, of a light color, covered with a whitish bloom ; spines green, but not abundant ; foliage abundant, of a light green color ; fruit large ; conical, with small grains, and of a crimson color ; flavor sub- acid, but good. This is the best of the four sorts dis- seminated by Mr. Herstine. Elizabeth. — A strong grower, and productive in favor- able soils and localities ; canes green, with some purple shadings ; spines small, but very numerous ; leaves light green, and quite large ; fruit very large, nearly globular, and of a bright crimson color ; grains large ; flavor ex- cellent. liilbyi — ^A free grower ; canes moderately vigorous ; spines few, and small ; leaves large, light green, whitish underneath ; fruit of good size ; nearly round ; dark crimson ; grains large ; quality good. Saunders. — Moderately vigorous and productive, pro- ducing a large number of suckers ; canes green, with a shade of purple ; spines abundant ; leaves large, and of good substance ; light green ; fruit large ; globular ; of a crimson color ; quality excellent. Much was expected of the Herstine Easpberries, when first disseminated, but they seem to have failed in most localities. The first, or Herstine, is now considered the best of the four. 8 170 SMALL PEUIT CtJLlUEIST. Hornet. — ^Very large ; conical ; deep crimson ; grains Variable in size, juicy, sub-acid, good ; moderately firm ; ■ canes yery strong, erect ; spines short, purplish ; fruit stems very long ; productive, and promises to be a good market variety. Originated in France, with M. Souchet, of Bagnolet, near Paris. Hnntsmitu's Giant. — In size, shape, and quality, very similar to the Franconia, but the canes grow much taller, and when fully mature have a peculiar grayish-white bark. A seedling of the Franconia, very productive, and continues a long time in fruit. Raised by Prof. T. W. Huntsman, Flushing, N. Y. Imperial. — This is another French variety resembling the Hornet. Jouet. — Medium to large ; light pale yellow ; canes feeble ; spines very numerous ; nearly white. Not worth cultivating, as we have several others of the same color which are far superior to it in every respect. Kncvet's Giant. — Large, or very large ; globular ; light crimson ; adheres rather firmly to the core ; juicy and good ; canes very strong ; spines short, purplish, very few, and scattering ; very productive. An English variety of considerable merit. Large Fruited IHonllily. {Rivers' New Monthly.) — Medium to large ; roundish-conical ; crimson ; soft, sweet, and juicy, good ; canes strong ; spines red, stout. Some- times it produces a very fair crop, but not equal to Belle de Fontenay for a late one. Eaised by Thomas Rivers, Sawbridgeworth, England. Alagniim Bonum. — Very similar, if not the same as the EA8PBERET. 171 Yellow Antwerp. Introduced from England many years ago. Mervcille de Quatre Saisons. {Marvel of the Four /Seasows.)— Medium to large ; obtuse-conical ; crimson ; sof by sweet, and good ; canes erect, rather slender ; spines purple, short, and quite numerous ; leaves flat, pale green underneath, and not so dark green above as the Belle de Fontenay, which is often sold for this variety. The leaves are finely and evenly serrated. Very hardy, and produces an immense number of suckers. There is a va- riety with yellow fruit, but very unproductive. Montclairi — Medium to large ; globular ; grains large ; dark, and rather dull red when fully ripe ; firm, and somewhat brittle ; sub-acid, not rich, but would be called good ; canes strong, vigorous, branching ; leaves dark green, and of good substance ; productive and hardy. Originated with E. & J. C. Williams, Montclair, li. J. Oranget {BrincMe's Orange.) — Large ; obtuse-conical ; orange ; sweet, rich, and delicious flavor ; canes strong, with small, white spines ; plant vigorous, and very pro- ductive. This is one of the best varieties in cultivation. Plant requires protection in winter. Originated by the late Dr. Brinckle, in 1845. Pilate. — Large ; long-conical ; grains small, compact ; dark red ; firm, juicy, sub-acid, only passably good ; canes not very vigorous ; spines numerous, purplish red ; pro- ductive. A French variety, highly extolled, but inferior to many of those produced in this country. Rivers' Seedlings. — Mr. Thomas Eivers, the late veteran pomologist of England, paid considerable attention to the Easpberry, and has produced many hundreds of seedlings. Some of them have reached this country, but there ap- pears to be considerable confusion in regard to their iden- tity and names. The one known as Rivers' Black Rasp- berry does not belong to the Black Raspberry family of this country. It is a dark purple fruit, with a white bloom. 173 SMAIiL FKtriT CTTLTUEIST. rather soft, of peculiar rich flavor, but not particularly valuable. Another, received under the name of Rivers' Seedling, is a large, roundish-conical berry, deep crimson, with a thin bloom, quite acid and not rich; canes very vigorous, branchiag, of a reddish color, spines purple, short, and very strong ; produces very few suckers. Perfectly hardy and very productive ; will probably be a gjod mar- ket variety. Mr. Rivers exhibited a new variety at one of the Horticultural shows in England a few years since, which he claimed to be a hybrid between the Raspberry and Blackberry, but I am not aware of its success. RnsselFs Red Raspberry. — ^Large, . roundish-conical, dark red, moderately firm, juicy, sweet and good; canes strong, erect ; spines white, straight, few and scattering. Supposed to be hybrid between the Purple Cane and White Antwerp ; very hardy and productive ; propagated by suckers. Originated in the garden of Dr. G. W. Russell, Hartford, Conn., and named by the Hartford Co. Horticultural Soc, ia 1858. Sonchettii. {White Transpar- ent.) — (Fig. T"?.) — Large, conical, somewhat irregular in form ; pale yellow, firm but juicy, sweet and very good ; canes vigorous ; spines nearly white and few; leaves large and wavy, thin, light green. A pro- Fig. 77.— souchettii. ductive variety, raised by Mr. Souchet. Semper FideliSi — ^Large, irregular-conical, dull crimson, rather firm and dry, sub-acid ; second rate in quality ; canes strong, spines purple, short and stifi", numerous; leaves large, evenly serrated ; very productive. A new variety from England, where it is highly extolled. Walker. — Large, round, deep crimson, soft, juicy, sprightly flavor, good; canes strong with a few stiif.pup SASPBBBBT. 173 •jaA spines; very productiTO. One of Dr. Brinokle's ■eedlings. Yellow Chilii — ^Large, conical, pale yellow, slightly tinged with orange, very soft, sweet and juicy; canea strong, branoHng, spines long, slender, white. A French variety which I received about ten years since. Not valu- able, and inferior to several others of similar color. Miscellaneous Varieties.— The following list comprises the new and old varieties of which little is known at the present time. Some of them have been merely announced in the nurserymen's catalogues, or in some of the various Horticultural Journals, while others are old foreign varie- ties that have been superseded by better kinds. I have added whatever information I possessed in regard to each. Plants of some of the new ones have been received, but not tested, consequently I cannot give a description, nor de- cide upon their merits : Bromley Hill. — An old, red, English variety, of fair quality, but not productive. BeelliTe. — ^Large red. (Prince's Catalogue, 1844.) Cornish. — ^An old discarded English variety. Cllili Monthly. — ^An old foreign variety. Cox's Honey. — ^An old white variety. Early Prolific. — ^Poor flavor; an old variety from England. Jillards'S Seedling. — ^An English variety of very good quality. Keystone. — Originated with A. L. Felton, Philadelphia, Pa. Described as very large, crimson. An excellent variety, although the canes are tender. LongWOrth. — ^Large, round, deep crimson. One of Dr. Brinckle's seedlings, Mrs. IngersoU. — ^Large, yellow, of fair quality. Raised by Dr. Brinckle. 174 BUAix FBuxr cvmrBierT. Mrs. Wilder.— A seedling of the Colonel Wilder, nnd tar in color. Named by Dr. Brinckle. Mote's Seedling.— New, from Ohio, of the Bubu$ 0» eidentalis species. Nottingham Scarlet. — Rejected by the American P» jiological Society. Mew Eyerbearlng. — ^Noticed in the Proceedings of the Cincinnati Horticultural Society, Dec, 1861. Princess Alice. — ^A new,English variety, raised by Cat- bush & Son, Highgate, England. Richardson. — Noticed in Gardeners' Monthly, 1862, p. 339. St. Louis. — ^Fruit large, bright red, sweet, and of the best BaspbeiTy flavor; plant hardy. — CoUmarCa Hural World. SurpasseMerreille. — Seedling of the OldMerveille den Quartre Saisons, yellow, same color and habit, but said to be superior to its parent; new. Baisedby Simon Louis. Announced in the French Catalogues, in 1862. Spring Grore. — ^Very prolific but poor flavor. An old foreign variety. Superb. — ^A poor flavored, old, foreign variety. Snperb d'Angleterre. — ^Large, red. Andre Leroy's Catalogue, 1862. Taylor's Paragon. — ^Poor flavor, old. Discarded European variety. Wilmot's Early Red. — ^An old English variety, of small ■ize, deep red, and poor quality. Woodward's Red Globe.— Small, red, poor flavor; old. Cultivated in England about forty years ago. Woodward. — Small, round, crimson ; veryeaily; spines red. One of Dr. Brinokle's seedlings. Selection of Pokeign Varieties. — For family use, where they will succeed, I would select the following varieties : Brinokle's Orange, Clarke, Franconia, Fastolff,' and French. EASPBEKBT. 175 Native Vabietibs. — For a few hardy native yarieties, likely to succeed in light as well as heavy soils, and over a wide range of country, I would name among the bright red sorts : Outhbert and Turner ; for a yellow, Caroline ; for {lurple or dark red, Eeliance and Philadelphia ; and for black, Doolittle and Gregg. For Mabket. — ^Hudson River Antwerp, Pranconia, for particular locations; and where these do not succeed, Outhbert, Turner, Wilmington, and almost any of the score of Black-caps in cultivation. The Davison's Thorn- less, and Doolittle, are the earliest, and McOormick and Qregg the latest and largest. CHAPTER IV. BLACEBERE7. RUBUS.— Bramble. The Blackberry belongs to the same family aaii gcnai «s the Raspberry. The fruit in this case is a coUectivt maps of drupes attached to the juicy receptacle — not geps rating as in the Raspberry, but falling off whole. In form, the berries aie mostly ovate or oblong, brown or blackish, occasionally yellowish-white. There iire about one hundred and fifty species of the Blackberry known to botanists, and, like the Raspberry, they are distributed over a greater portion of the world. Few of the species possess any particular merit worthy of the attention of fruit growers of the present time, coU' sequenily I shall confine myself mainly to the indigenous species and their varieties. The following six species are natives of the United States : Rubus rilloSUSi — Common High Blackberry. — Stems shrubby, two to eight feet high, furrowed, upright or re- clining, armed with stout curved prickles ; lower surface of the leaves hairy and glandular ; leaflets three or pe- dately five, ovate, pointed, unequally serrate ; plant van» 176 ELACKBEBBT. ■'177 able in size and in its general appearance. Figure 78 shows a section of the stem, of the well known New Ro- chelle Blackberry, which is a variety of this species. R. Canadensis. — Low Blackberry, Dewberiy. — Shrubby, trailing slightly, prickly ; leaflets three or pedately five to seven, oval or ovate-lanceolate, mostly pointed, thin, nearly smooth ; flowers in racemes with leaf-like bracts ; fruit mostly round, with large grains, sweet and pleasant flavor, ripens earlier than M. Vilr losus. Very common in dry sandy soils. R. hispidns. — ^Running Swamp Black- berry. — Stems slender, shrubby, mostly trailing, with numerous, small, reflexed prickles ; leaflets three, rarely five, smooth, obovate, coarsely serrate, entire toward the base ; flower small, borne on a leafless peduncle; fruit purple or shining black, grains large and few; generally very acid. Common in the Northern States, in low, damp woods. R. cuneifolins. — Sand Blackberry. — One to three feet high, shrubby, upright, armed with stout, recurved prickles; branohlets and lower surface of the leaf, whitish, woolly ; leaflets three to five, wedge-obovate, thickish, serrate above ; peduncles two to four flowered ; petals large ; fruit medium size, of good flavor, black, ripens late. Common in New jersey and southward, in sandy soils. R. trivialiSi — ^Low Bush Blackberry. — Stems shrubby, trailing, bristly and prickly; leaves evergreen, coriaceous, nearly glabrous; leaflets three or pedately five, ovate- oblong, or lanceolate, sharply serrate, peduncles one to three flowered. Sandy soils, from Virginia southward. 8 b^ k^ Kg. 78. 178 BMAU. TEUIT CTJXTITEIST. Rf spectabliSi — ^Flowers solitary, of a beautiful purple color ; stems without prickles. Native of- northwest coast of America, on the hanks of the Columbia River. Ri frnticoSHSi — Stems straggling, arched, angular and rather tomentose; prickles recurved, fruit dark purple Fig. 79. — BOBOPBAN BLACKBBRBT. with a peculiar mawkish flavor. Common European Black- 'berry or Bramble. There are several species of the Blackberry found in South America, West Indies, and Mexico, but we have no cultivated varieties of them, neither do they possess any qualities superior to those found in the United States. Very little attention is paid to the cultivation of this BI.A.CKBEBBY. 179 frmt except in this country, consequently we have no su- perior foreign varieties, nor can we find any practical in- formation in regard to their cultivation, in any European work on gardening. The Blaokherry has no separate his- tory from that of the Raspberry, as they are both called Brambles in the old works ; and it is evident that it has never been considered worthy of any special care in any country except our own. Cnltivation, Propagation, &c.— The same method of cultivation recommended for the Raspberry is also appli- cable to the Blackberry. In selecting a soU, a rather dry one is preferable to one that is very moist or wet ; neither should the soil be as rich as for the Raspberry, because the varieties generally cultivated are large, coarse growing plants, and if the soil is too rich the canes will grow very /arge and succulent, and will neither be so hardy nor pro- ductive as those of a moderate growth. It is also a good plan to pinch off the terminal shoots the last of August or first of September, to check the growth, and cause the canes to more fully ripen than if allowed to grow undis- turbed. The plants should also be given more room than the Raspberry, as they usually grow more branching and make larger stools. The rows should be at least six feet apart, and eight would be still better for the larger grow- ing kinds. Staking the plants may be dispensed with if they are severely pruned so as to enable them to sustain the fruit. Many cultivators, however, always stake and tie up their plants, or build cheap trellises with posts and wire to which the canes are fastened in the spring at the time of pruning. It would be better to take out the old bearing canes soon after the fruit is gathered, but this would make it necessary to go over the plants twice, while if the old cnnes can be cut out and the young ones pruned at the same time, considerable labor is- saved. One annual pruning is the usual method, choosing the early spring for performing this operation. For taking oit the old cane* « 180 SMALL PEtrrr CULTtrEIST. pair of shears with long handles (Fig. 80) is used, cutting them as near to the ground as possible. A simple and equally ef- cient pruning implement is made by attaching a hooked knife to a handle of convenient length, as shown in fig. 81. The mu ner o^ using it is sufficiently ob- vious. The young canes should be headed back to four or five feet, and the lateral branches to a foot or eighteen inches. If too many suckei's have grown, so that they are likely to crowd, then remove a por- tion of them, as directed for the Raspberry. All va- rieties of the Blackberry produce suckers very free- ly, and, unless they are wanted, all should be destroyed as soon as they appear, except those reserved for next season's crop. The Blackberry may be propagated as directed for the Raspberry, cuttings of the roots usually making the best plants. VARIETIES. Fig. 81. Fig. 80. Cut-Leaved. — ^Fruit roundish, black, grains large, sweet, with a slightly musky flavor ; borne in loose panicles, stems nearly round, more or less trailing, fertile ones erect ; prickles small at the base, but recui-ved and strong above, very numerous ; leaves dissected and sharply serrate, as shown in figure 83 ; flowers white or rose coloi-. A BLACKBEEBT. 181 variety of the European BlackbeiTy, li. fruticoaus, and is found in the Catalogues as It. laciniatus, and also as the Parsley-leaved Blackberry. It has been sparingly Fig. 82.— CUT-LEAVED BLACKBEEBT. cultivated in Europe for many years, also in this country- for twenty years or more. It is scarcely' worth growing, except as a curiosity. 183 SMAI,L TEUIT CULTUEIST. Cnmberland.— Medium size, black, sweet and good, quite early, and matures the whole crop in a comparatively Fig. 83. — ^LEAP OP DORCHESTBB. • short time; plant quite hardy and productive. This variety is largely cultivated by J. Cox, of Bridgeton,N. J, and but little known elsewhere. BLA.OEBEBBT. 183 Cape Maji — ^Very larg*, sweet, but quite soft, black when first ripe, but soon changes to a dull red. A very good variety for home use, but too tender for market. Dorchestert — ^Fruit large, oblong, oval, slightly pointed, blact, sweet, rich and excellent, with considerable of the wild Blackberry flavor ; leaves broad, oval, with a sharp point, as shown in figure 83 ; ripens early, and the berrien quite firm. An excellent market variety. The canes are very vigorous, and usually quite hardy. Not so produc- tive as some, but sufiioiently so to make it worthy of ex- tensive cultivation. Introduced to public notice by the late Josiah Lovett, of Beverly, Mass., in 1850 ; he having procured the plants of a gentleman in Dorchester, Mass., about 1842. FeltODi — ^Very large, long, slightly conical, sweet and good; the berries often very defective; ripens early rather of a spreading growth, and not so upright and com pact as some. This was at one time supposed to be the same as the Wilson's Eariy, but it has lately been decided by several gentleman of Southern New Jersey, who are familiar with both varieties, that it is distinct, and not equal to the Wilson's Early in productiveness. Intro- duced a few years since by Oscar F. Felton, of Camden, New Jersey. Holcombi — ^Large, roundish-oval, black, sweet, rich and excellent ; plant strong, vigorous and productive, similar to the Dorchester in size and productiveness, commencing to ripen about the same time, and continues in fruit for several weeks. Introduced to public notice by E. A. Hoi- comb, of Granby, Conn., in 1855. Kittatinnyt — ^Large to very large, slightly conical, deep shining black, moderately firm, sweet, rich and excellent ; figure 84 is a fair representation of a well grown cluster; leaves ovate, with rather a long point, as shown in figun im SMALL FEUIT CULTtJEIST. Tig. 84.— KITTAHNNT. BLACKEEEEr. 185 85, finely and unevenly serrate ; plant a strong and vigor- ous grower, and very productive. The fruit begins to ripen Fig. 85.— LEAP OF KITTATnfNT. a few days earlier-than the New Rochelle, and continues for four or five weeks. This is an old variety, although 8* 186 SMALL PEUIT CtTLT'JEIST. new to the public, as it was not extensively disseminated until last year, but, so far as known, it is very hai;dy, and promises to be one of the very best varieties known. Found, about twenty years ago, by a Mr. Wolverton, growing wild in the woods near the Kittatinny Moun- tains, in "Warren County, New Jersey. New Rochellet {Seacor'a Mammoth, JJawton.) — ^Very large, irregular, roundish-oval, black, very juicy, and mod- erately sweet when fully ripe, but it does not reach this point until several days after the fruit has become black, at which time it is very soft. A strong and vigorous grower, and very productive. The fruit commences ripen- ing rather late, and continues for a long time, and unless the soil is naturally moist, or the ground covered with a mulch, many of the late berries will fail to come to maturity. The canes are also rather tender, often win- ter-killing, even in the vicinity where it origi- nated. The New Rochelle Blackberry has probably done more to make this class of fruits popular than any other variety, but some of the kinds lately introduced are likely to supersede it. Found by Lewis A. Seacor in the town of New Rochelle, "Westchester County, N. Y. Newman's Thornless. — ^Medium, roundish- oval, black, rather acid, but good when fully ripe ; canes slender, nearly round, growing only three or four feet high ; spines small, short, as shown in figure 86 ; some of the canes almost smooth. It is usually very un- productive, but occasionally it will produce quite a large crop. Discovered growing wild, and introduced by Jonas Newman, Ulster County, New York. Fig. 86. BLACKBEERT. ' 187 A^awanii — ^A new variety, of which little is knowr. Larger than the Snyder, and Ancient Briton, but the plants are not so hardy. Ancient Briton. — A very small wild berry from Wis- consin. Sweet, juicy, and of excellent quality, and the plants are very productive. Valuable only where larger and better sorts will not thrive. Barnard. — A new variety, found in Iowa. Kecom- -mended on account of the hardiness of the plants. Dodge's ThornlesSo— From K B. Dodge, Fredonia, IST. Y. This was tried and found wanting some ten years ago. Plants feeble, and nearly destitute of both thorns and fruit. Early Burnton. — Very small ; sweet j scarcely worth cultivating. lioosac Tliornless. — This is another wild sort, picked up in the woods of New England. Not worth describing or cultivating. Knox. — "New, and scarcely known among fruit growers, except a small number in Central New York. Missouri Mammotli. — This is a wild variety, or, I might with truth say, several varieties, dug up from the fields and woods of Missouri, and disseminated by one who had good reasons for changing his name occasionally to avoid unpleasant exposures. It cost me one hundred dollars to get my first box of plants of these sorts', and to learn that I had been cheated. If there is any true or genuine Missouri Mammoth Blackberry in cultivation, it is un- known to me. Sable Queen. — ^Fruit large; oblong; glossy black; grains quite large ; firm, sweet, and excellent ; canes very vigorous ; hardy, and usually quite productive. Found grow;ing wild about thirty years ago, in Essex Co., Mass., 188 SMALL FEUIT CULTUKIST. and introduced to the public notice by J. W. Manning, Reading, Mass. Snyder • — A small variety, found growing wild near La Porte, Ind., thirty years ago, but it attracted no attention until quite recently, when it was discovered that the plants were exceedingly hardy. If the plants are given good cultivation, and close pruned, the fruit may be in- creased in size to a point where it would probably rank in the medium class, but with ordinary care, it is too small to command much attention. It ripens early, and is of good quality, and is valuable in localities where the larger sorts are tender. One of the most populpr varieties in the West on account of its hardiness. Taylor's Prolific. — A new Western variety, of medium size and good flavor. Recommended mainly on account of the hardiness of the canes, which are said to vithstand a temperature of thirty degrees below zero without injury. Wachusett Thornless. — This has been much praised on account of the scarcity of thorns on its canes. Fruit medium size and of fair quality, while the plants are vigorous and hardy, but not very prolific. Pound grow- ing wild in the Monadnock Mountains, in 1864, and in- troduced to public notice by R. R. Fletcher, Groton Junc- tion, Mass. Western Triumph.— A very large, irregular-shaped berry ; very soft, juicy, and sweet ; plants wonderfully vigorous, prod^ictive, and hardy. Owing to the softness of the berry, it has not attracted much attention from those who raise fruit for market, although it is a valuable one for the amateur cultivator. A chance seedling, found upon the open prairie in Lake Co., 111., in 1858, by Mr. Biddle, of Waukegan. Needliam's White.— A variety sent out several years sincej but it is unproductive, and not worth cultivp+ing- BLACKBERRY. 189 Wilson's Early. — ^Very large; oblong, oval, slightly pointed ; black ; quite firm, sweet, rich, and good ; canes strong, roundish, not so deeply corrugated as the N"ew Eochelle or Dorchester. It is probably a sport of the trailin'g Blackberry, or a cross between it and the high- bush. Although the plant is naturally an erect grower, still, occasionally, a cane will grow for several fest along the ground, and the tip take root, as is usual with the common creeping Blackberry, or Dewberry, as it is gen- erally called. The fruit ripens very early, and the entire crop matures in about two weeks. This peculiarity in ripening gives the grower of it an opportunity of sending the entire crop to market before other varieties are ripe. Discovered by John Wilson, of Burlington, N. J., abou^- 1854. The following kinds I have not fruited, neither have I any very reliable information in regard to their merits : Albion. — Found growing wild at Albion, Edwards Co., Illinois. The fruit is large, of a pink color. Claret. — A new variety, found by D. L. Adair, of Hawesville, Ky. Fruit large, of a glossy claret color. Col. Wilder. — Fruit bright cream color. Eaised by John B. Orange, of Albion, Illinois, and named in honor of the veteran pomologist, M. P. Wilder, of Boston, Mass. Crystal White. — A variety from the West. Fruit yel- lowish-white, and of excellent quality. The foliage of this variety is very peculiar, inasmuch as the leaflets are very narrow, almost oblong-lanceolate ; plants rather tender. Dr. Warder. — Color a dark rosy-red. Eaised from seed by Mr. Orange, the originator of the Col. Wilder, and named in honor of Dr. Warder, of Ohio. PROFITS OF CULTURE. The profits derived from the cultivation of the Rasp- berry and Blackberry are extremely variable. The first 190 SMALL FRUIT CULTtJEIST. thing to be ascerbained by those who intend planting these fruits extensively is, whether there is a good mar- ket, and one that is not likely to be oyerstocked. Then find out what kinds are the best suited to the location. For instance, if one is located in a section where the Eed Antwerp and similar foreign varieties succeed, then it would be safe and perhaps preferable to plant them in- stead of others, because their fruit always commands the highest price in the market. In many places at the West, as well as at the East, these varieties succeed, if protected in winter, and two to six hundred dollars per acre is no uncommon amount to be derived for the fruit ; still there are many locations where no amount of care will make them yield enough to pay for their culture, consequently other varieties must be selected, or Easpberry culture be abandoned. The Blackberry, as a general thing, does not bring quite so large a price in market as the Easpberry, but the yield per acre is often greater, so that the returns will be about equal, although, as a rule, they are not generally considered as profitable a fruit as the Easpberry. When- ever Peaches are plentiful, then late varieties of the Black- berry sell at a very low price. The cost of cultivation, gathering, and marketing these berries, is usually from one-fourth to one-third of the gross receipts obtained for the fruit. CHAPTER V, DWAEF CHERRY. NATUBAI. FAMILT ROSACEA. PRUNUa SuB-OEiros, CERASUS.— TnB Chebrt. The Cherries, as a class, do not come within the pro posed scope of this work. But there is at least one native species that is worthy of being placed among the smaU fruits, and I have introduced it here for the purpose of calling the attention of our horticultuiists to it, hoping that through their efforts a new, distinct, and valuable class of Cherries will be originated. All of the varieties of the Cherry commonly cultivat- ed, are of foreign origin, and the native species have so far resisted all attempts at improvement; as a general thing, there appears to be no affinity between those of the eastern and western continent. Tliey will neithei hybridize, nor the wood unite when worked one upon the other. Thus the door seems to be closed against the in- termingling of the superior and the inferior, and progress only possible by raising seedlings of the native kinds without foreign aid. There «re, however, two indigenous species which appear to be nearly related to the foreign, at least sufficiently so, to 181 8MA1X FEUrr CCLTUEIST. ftdmit of beiog hybridized with it, as the flowers are very similar and the wood of the two unites very readily. Ono of these, Prunvs P^nnayVoanica, is a tall species, and doc« not come within the scope of this work ; but a dwarf one, r. pumila, described by Dr. Gray as follows : " Smooth, depressed and trailing, six to eighteen inches high; leaves obovate-lanceol.ite, tapering to the base somewhat toothed near the apex, pale anderneath; flow ers two to four together; fruit ovoid, dark red. Rocks oi Bandy banks; Massachusetts northward to Wisconsin, and south to Virginia along the mountains." The above is merely a general descii])tion of the species, but it varies considerably in different locaiioiis and soils. It is thirty-five years since I first became acquainted with this species while examining the \\il() cuBBAirr. 203 train that erect ; the next season cut it back to within a foot or eighteen inches of the ground. Allow three to six shoots to grow the second season, and at equal distanced around the stem, if possible. The third season, shorten these branches, and allow six to twelve shoots to be piO' duced, and so on from year to year, pruning out and head mg in, keeping the head open and the branches arranged in a vase foim, or as near it as convenient. In some soils single stem plants will live and produce abundantly for eight to ten years, and while young, the fruit will be larger than when grown in thick, compact bushes. For amateurs the single stem system is a very convenient and pretty method, and if a plant fails, it may be replaced without any particular loss, but for field culture I prefer the clump or bush form, because it is less trouble, and there is dan- ger of the plants being killed by the Currant Borer, for if one of these gets into the single stemmed plant it destroys it, and a new one must be planted or trained up from one of the many suckers whicii wiU usually start from th« roots after the main stem has been removed. With the Black Currant the case is somewhat different ; being naturally a much stronger grower, the stems becom- ing quite large and coarse, they will live for many years, and there is but little danger of insects injuring them Neither do these require so much pruning as other varie- ties ; still, enough should be done to give the bush a regu- lar, open head, as well as to cut out all small, weak shoots. The young, one year old shoots should not be shortened so severely as with other varieties, unless it i^s necessary for the purpose of giving the plant some particular form, be- cause fi"uit is produced on the one year old wood as well w upon small spur-like shoots on the old. The varieties of the JRibes nigrum, (European Black Currant,) and tli« Bibes fioridum, and B,. aureun, form much larger bushes than any of the other species ; consequently they should oe allowed more room, if planted in rows, they should 804 SMALL FKUIT CULTUEIST. oe five to SIX feet apart, if it is desirable to have them grow to full size, although they are readily kept within a much less space, but much fruit will be lost by severe pruning. These coarse-growing species usually produce better and larger fruit on old plants than on the young, provided they are given good culture, and all httle, weak shoots are annually cut out, so that those remaining will be fully developed. The tree form is preferable to the bush or clump for all the varieties of the species last named. INSECTS AND DISEASES. It is only within the past twenty or thirty years that insects injurious to the Currant and Gooseberry have be- come so numerous as to attract much attention. In 1847, the late Dr. Asa Pitch, in his Eeport as State Entomolo- gist of New York, mentioned an insect which had become very destructive to the Currant in the central part of the State, and as it somewhat resembled the European Cur- rant and Gooseberry moth {Abraxis grossulariata), he re- ferred this American pest to the same genus, and named it Abraxis ribearia. In figure 89, at the upper right- hand side, is shown the male moth, and at the left the female, while on the leaf above is shown the caterpillar, as seen when feeding. Another of these caterpillars is seen suspended from the edge of the leaf, as they appear when letting themselves down to the ground, while below is its pupa, in which form this insect passes through the winter. Eecent investigations by other entomologists show that this insect is a native of North America, and not of Europe, as at one time supposed. Furthermore, Dr. A. S. Packard considers the insect to be sufficiently distinct to be separated from Abraxis ; and he has placed it in a genus to which he has given the name of EufitcMa, in honor of its first discoverer, Dr. Fitch ; consequently its scientific name becomes EufitcMa ribearia, instead of OTJRRAKT. 205 Airaxis. But the changing of its name has no efEect upon the habit of this pest, and it will probably continue, as formerly, to strip the leaves from our Currants and Gooseberries, whenever left to have its own way. The insect usually appears early in spring, feeding upon the leaves, and is then readily destroyed by dusting powdered Fig. 89. — OUKRANT WOKM {EufitcMa Hbearid). White Hellebore over the plant, while wet with dew in the morning. Tobacco water and lime, and similar applica- tions are also used with good results, but the hellebore is considered the most effective and certain. Imported farrant Worm. — This pest is the Nematus ventricosus, Klug, a large fly, of the order Hymenoptero, and family Tenthredinidce. There are very few insects 206 SMALL FETTIT OULTUEIST. of this order that injure our garden plants, but the one under consideration is an exception to the general rule. It first appearance in this country was about IBS?, and in the Ticinity of Eochester, N. Y., and is supposed to haye been introduced with imported plants. The flies come out of the ground early in spring, and the females soon commence depositing their eggs on the underside of the leaves near the veins. The eggs hatch in about a week, and immediately commence feeding upon the soft part of the leaves. At each moult they change color, but when fully grown they are about Ihree-quarters of an inch long, and of a grass-green color, with minute black spots scattered along the sides and on the back. When mature, they drop to the ground and hide under the leaves, enclosing themselves in thin oval cocoons. In the course of five or six weeks a second brood of the flies appear, and go the same round of devastation as .the first one, unless checked or destroyed by application of hellebore or similar insecticides. Hellebore is usually applied while the fruit is green, and any that may remain upon the fruit is washed off by the rain ; should any ad- here to the ripe fruit it must be washed ofE. The Native Currant Worm. — This is a closely allied in- sect to the last, belonging to the same order and family, but to another genus. It is the Pristiphora grossularim, Walsh. Its habits are also similar to the imported worm, and it may be destroyed with similar insecticides. Trochilinm tipnliforme. — European Currant Borer.— This is quite common in the Eastern States, and we seldom receive Currant bushes from Europe that do not contain more or less of these pests. It is too well known to re- quire a description. The moth is probably not so familiar, and I give the description given it by Dr. Pitch, in the New York Agricultural Report, 1859: "A small moth, having some resemblance to a wasp, its wings being clear and ouBEAjra, 307 gloBsy, the fore pair opaque, yellowish at the tips, with a black margm and band near the middle, and the abdomen black, with three yellow bands situated one upon each alternate segment ; width 0.65 to 0.85." Trochilium candatum. — Harris. — This species infest! our native wild Currant, {Hibes floridum,) and it reeem bles somewhat the European species. To destroy these borers, the plants should be examined every fall or during winter, and every shoot that liaa a borer in it will usually be of a brown color, or slightly wilted ; sometimes, when the shoots are very vigorous, no difference can be observed, but by close inspection the small hole where the WDnn entered can be found. All Fhoots containing worms should be cut out, and the worm destroyed. In this way they may be checked, if not en- flrely eradicated. In making cuttings, the same care should be given, and every hollow stem examined for borers, and if found, de- stroyed. rARlETIES. NATIVB 8PBCIB8. American Black. — Bibea floridum. — ^Fruit medium, roundish-ovoid, black; clusters small, tapering. Seldom cultivated, but worthy of it, if for no other purpose than to produce new varieties, as it is naturally a better flavored fruit than the European Black Currant. Deseret. — Mibea aureum. — Fruit very large, round, black or dark violet, with a slight bloom, sub-acid and agreeable flavor ; flowers yellow ; a strong and rapid grower, and very productive when the plant attains its fall growth. A variety of the Missouri Currant {Hibes wreunC). It is highly valued by the Mormons at Salt Lake City, from whence I received it a few years since. Thii 208 PMAT.T, FEiriT CtTLTUEIST. should become the parent of a new and valuable class of 90. — ^LBAr OF DBSEKET. Currants, as it possesses many good qualities and few defects. Figure 90 shows a leaf of this variety. GoldeBi — Large, round, deep golden-yellow, very acid, and slightly bitter ; flowers yellow. Of no value for its fruit, but might be improved. Native of the Kocky Mountains, and a variety of J?, aureum. Missonri Black. — Very large, jet black, hard, dry, and CXTEEAKT. 209 bitter; of no value, except as an ornamental shrub; flowers yellow, fragrant. There is another resembling this, except that the fruit is edible, but not very good. All the varieties of the H. aureum have deeply lobed fig. 91 — LSAV OV BIBBS gXHanHIBUV. leaves, while the H. sanguineum,, (Red Flowering Cur- rant,) which is found west of the Rocky Mountains, has leaves of the form shown in figure 91. Sweet Fruited Missourii — ^Large, black, roundish-ovoid ; bunches small, containing few berries ; sweet, musky fla- vor. A variety of Ji. Jloridum, and not of the H. aureum, && its name would indicate. It is a very slight improvement upon the common wild Black Currant, which may be found in almost any low, moist woods. 9* 210 rfUAIX PBUIT CULT0EIBT. The Mormons claim to have several valuabk varieting u live of the Salt Lake region, but whether thoy will prove valuable or worthy of being extensively cultivated is very ancertain. There is one thing quite certain, and that is that we have native species that possess qualities equal, if not superior, to those found in any other country, and equally susceptible of improvement. F0BEI6K VABISTIES. Before proceeding to describe the different kinds, I wiL give a brief synopsis of the difficulties that I have met in endeavoring to ascertain which were distinct varieties. It is well known that plants of similar kinds often be< come intermingled through the carelessness of workmen. Sometimes packages will become broken while being transported from one portion of the country to another, and several kinds become mixed together. Thus it will be seen that mixed varieties become very common from accidental causes. Twenty-five years ago I commenced collecting the vari- ous kinds of Currants with the express purpose of ascer- taining their true merits, and to determine which were really distinct varieties. To do this has cost me infinitely more labor and money than I shall be likely to receive from the proceeds of this volume, and still I fear that the results will be less satisfactory to the public than any other portion of the work. I have not depended upon varieties obtained from any one source, either in Europe or America, but have gath- ered them from the best nurseries of France, Prussia, Germany, England, Ireland, and the United States. In the prosecution of my labors and researches, I have had the good fortune to be able to avail myself of the in- valuable experience and extensive collection of Mr. Chaa Downing. His experience extends over a period ol mor* CURRANT, an than fifty years, and when, a few years since, I informed him of my purpose of writing this book, and requested his assistance particularly upon the Currant and Rasp- berry, he cheerftilly took hold of the work, and in addi- tion to his then very complete collection, he sent to the different growers of Europe and of this country for speci- mens of all the new, as well as old varieties. Not depend- ing upon one importation, he has obtained a new set almost every year, and by keeping them separate, we have had an opportunity of determining which were really distinct varieties. For a number of years we have met, at the time the fruit was ripe, and gone over the entire collec- tion, carefully comparing them, and the following list is the result : Fig. 9a.— LEAP OF ATTRACTOR Attractori — Large, yellowish-white ; bunch mediumj loose. A slow grower, but quite productive. Not equal ■ ai3 SMALL FEUIT CULTUEIST. to the White Dutch in flavor. The leaves are small and deeply lobed or toothed, as shown in figure 93. From France. Bnist'S Long-Buncbed Red. — Large, deep red, of similar flavor as the Red Dutch ; leaves large and very thick ; serratures sharp - pointed ; a strong and vigorous grower, and very productive. Originated with R. Buist, Philadelphia, Pa. Champagne. {PJieotsanfs Eye, Fig. 93. — CHEERY OUERAUT. Fig. 94. — CHEKRT CURRANT. CfrosseUier a Fruit couleur de chair.) — ^Large, pale pink or flesh color, quite acid, and not rich flavored ; bunches medium, loose, slightly tapering; vigorous and produc- tive. Much admired for the pretty appearance of its fruit. Ripens late. Cherry. {Imperial Rouge, or Med Imperial, Large Bed Anger s. La Caucase, Fertile d' Angers of Leroy, Irish Grape, Macrocarpa, Napoleon Med.) — ^Very large, dark C0BRAJIT. ?1J red, acid, not rich, only second rate ; bunch variable, from short to quite long, scarcely tapering, figure 87, and figure 88 showing the variations on the same plant ; leaves larg% deep green, bluntly lobed, thick and tough ; very distinct from the Red Dutch and its varieties. Plant a coars* grower, the young shoots being very strong and stocky very productive, but the old branches becoming naked, often produce two or three crops. Th« largest Red Cup rant in cultivation, and commands the highest price in market. Some of the varieties placed as synonyms of the Cherry were probably raised from seed, but as I have not been able to discover wherein they differ, I think it folly to call them by different names. Versailles.— Very large; bunch, long, and slightly tapering ; dark red, acid, and by many it is considered to be a better flavored variety than the Cherry, but by others very similar, if not identical. The principal points of distinction claimed are, that the Versailles is not so acid as the Cherry, and that the bunches are more tapering. But like variations may be observed in other well known varieties, and upon plants growing in close proximity. At one time, I thought that there was a difference in the growth and foliage of the two kinds, but more experience has not confirmed me in this opinion. Although I am not ready to say positively that there is no distinct variety to which the name of Versailles be- longs, still I have not as yet been able to obtain one in which really distinct and permanent variations can be dis- covered. Since writing the above, thirteen years ago, I have con- tinued my investigation in regard to the identity of thes9 two varieties of the Currant, without making any dis« coveries which throw light upon the subject. I have noticed, however, that several European authorities have declared the Versailles to be identical with the Cherry, a conclusion which I ai-rived at some fifteen years ago. 814 SMALL TEUIT OULTUEIST. Dana's WbitCi — After various attempts to procure a White Currant under this name distinct from the White Grape, I at last procured a few plants from Mr. Dana, but with no better success, as all proved to be the same. Fertile de FalluaUi — Large, and of same color as Red Dutch, but not so juicy or good. A strong and vigorous grower,and very productive. The leaves re- semble the Red Dutch, but are larger. Figure 95. Gondoiiin Red. — Beny and bunch medium size ; fruit light red, of rather poor flavor ; foliage large, coarse, light green ; serratures of leaf sharp, coarsely veined, upper surface slightly wavy. A very vig- orous growei', and may prove to ^ ' * V^ I be the Red Provence. J^^' i ^ Gondouin White. — I liave been ff^ ^i ' ' unable to obtain a distinct variety * ■ under this name, White Grape be- ing the one usually received. Gloire des Sablons. — ^Fruit and bunch small, white, distinctly strip- ed with red, acid, poor flavor; of no value, except as a curiosity; plant a strong, upright nnd vigor- ous grower, not very productive. Gros Ronge d'Angcrs. {Large JRed Angers.) — See Cherry. Holland Long Grape.— The one Leroy, of France, is the Victoria, and one from Andre Leroy, the Red Provence. Imperial Yellow. {Imperial Jaune, White Imperial.) —Identical with the White Grape, with perhaps a shght (^ Fig. 95.— FERTILE BE PiXLUAU. received from L, CDEBAirr. 315 difference in the growth of the plant It appears to be a more stocky and upright grower, at least wliile young Imperial Rouge— See Cherry Currant. Knight's Large Red.— Very similar to, if not identical with,the Red Dutch. Knigllt's Early Red.— Same as the last, and no earlier. Knigbt's Sweet Red.— Large, very dark red; bunch fong, tapering; similar in quality to the Red Dutch, but apparently not quite so acid ; growth vigorous, upriglit leaves dark green, of medium size, thick and coarsely ser- rate. The general appearance of the plant distinct from the Red Dutch. Moderately productive. This may have been received under the wrong name, and perhaps it is the Knight's Large Red, which. Rivers says, is a valuable variety. La Hatiye. {La Hative de Bertin, La Fertile.) — ^I am not certain which of the above names should be placed fiist, although the varieties received under each have all proved to be the same. Evidently nearly related to the Cherry Currant, as the general appearance of the plant resembles it very much, but of a less vigorous growth. Color of fruit and form of bunch same as Cherry, but only about two-thirds the size ; ripens a few days earlier, and is not quite so acid, yet too much so to be called good; productive. Prince Albert. — ^Large, light red, sometimes slightly striped with dark red; bunch medium, tapering; rather acid, firm, of inferior quality, moderately vigorous, up- right ; leaves small ; lobes long, pointed, sharply serrate very productive. Red Dutch. {Large Hed Dutch, New Sed Dutch, Long Bunched Med, Morgan^ a Bed, GhrosseUier Bougea Gross* Fruit.) — ^Large, deep red ; bunches long, tapering, rich, juicy, good. One of the best. A vigorous, erect grower and very productive. Well known. S16 SMALL FEtriT CITLTUEIST. Red Grape. — ^Large, dart red; "bunch compact, long, slightly tapering; foliage medium, not shining, as with Red Dutch ; moderately vigorous, and of a rather stocky growth. Red Provence. — Small, dark red ; bunches long; very acid, liable to rot before ripening, quite late, altogether inferior; the young shoots red. A very ram- pant,, coarse grower. Striped Fruited. ( Grosse Weiss- und Mothgeatreifte Johannisbeere. ) — An old variety, with fruit same as Gloire des Sabloiis, but the plant a short, stocky grower; the termi- nal buds on the young shoots quite conspicuous. Of no value. Transparent White . — Claimed to be a seedling of White Grape, but, if so, it has assumed all the characteristics of its parent, and I am unable to see any diiference. Versailles.— See page 205. Tictoria. — (J/ay's Victoria, Houghton Castle, Moby Castle, Goliath, Wilmofs Med Grape, and Med Grape of some nurseries.) — Large, light, bright red ; bunch (figure 96) very long, often six or seven inches tapering ; sprightly acid, good flavor ; leaves medium, rather thin; lobes long; serratures rounded, or with a short point ; young branches rather slender, although vigorous, spread ing ; very productive. A valuable variety for home use. Fig. :96.— VICTOBIA. CTTEEANT. 217 White Grape. ( White Antwerp, White Traimparent.) — ^Large, yellowish-white, transparent; bunch medium, slightly tapering (fig. OT) ; juicy, sweet, rich; the best White Currant ; 'moderately vigorous, slender, spreading habit ; leaves medium size, sharply serrate, with a grayish green color, not shining ; very productive. White Dutch. ( White Clin- ton, New White Dutch, darkens Sweet, White Crystal, JReeves' White, Morgan's White, White Leghorn, White Transparent, White Holland, White Pearl.) — ^Large, yellowish-white, but quite transparent; bunches a little shorter than the Red Dutch, and berries larger, sweet, rich and good; a vigorous, upright grower, and very productive. White Provence. — Very large, yellowish-white; bunch rather short, tapering. About- Fig. 97.— white geapb. the same in quality as the White Dutch, but not quite equal to White Grape. The most vigorous of all the White varieties, evidently of the White Dutch class. Leaves large, thick, more or less edged" with white, as shown in figure 98 ; productive, but not equally so with the White Grape. BLACK CTTBBANTS. {Kibes nigrum.) Black English. ( Common Black, Bang-up Blacky Cassia a Fruit noir.) — Large, black, but few in a cluster. 318 SMALL FKUIT CULTUKIST. Well known, and but little cultivated at the present time, having been superseded by the following : Black Naples. ( Cassis Royal of ]!7aple8.)—YeTy large, often three-fourths of an inch in diameter, black, sweet, but of musky flavor ; clusters are medium, tapering, loose; Fig. 98. — ^LEAP OP WHITE PROTENOB. \ very vigorous grower, and productive, when the plants have attained considerable age and size ; leaves, stems and fruit have a rank and musky scent, which is very disa- greeable to many, but to others delightful. Black (Jirape. {Ogden's Black Grape)— ^nak sam« CUBBAIIT. 219 as Black Naples, but the bush is more stocky, and not 8p tall a grower. A marked difference may be observed in the hight of the plants when growing in adjoining rows. Brown Frnitedi {Green Fruited, Russian Green.)— A variety of the Black English, with greenish-brown fruit ; berries hard, dry, and rank flavored. Not worth cultivating. Lee's Prolific. — ^A new sort, of great promise. Berries large, in compact clusters ; very similar in quality to the Black Naples, but the plants far more productive. PROFITS OF CULTURE, USK3, &c. Currants are not, as a general thing, consumed in as large quantities as some other kinds of our small fruits. Still there is scarcely a garden, however small, iu city or country, in which a few Currant bushes are not cultivated. The extreme acidity of our more common varieties ia probably one reason why larger quantities of them ire not used in their natural state. Currant jelly is one of the in- dispensable conserves of which no good housekeeper neg- lects to lay by a store at the proper time, but it has not been known as an article of commerce until within a very recent period. Our markets, as a general rule, have been very well sup- plied, and often the price obtained for Currants has been far below a profitable point. But of late years, since our great fruit-preserving establishments have been started, the demand has increased, and the supply is falling behind. Here let me mention a fact which, I fear, some of cur fruit growers, as well as others, do not fully understand, and it may also explain why the piices of certain kinds of fruit appear to increase m exact ratio to the supply. It IS thiG : When the proprietors of one of these large es- tabiiiibments can go into market and purchase fifty thons- uid baskets of Strawberries, Raspberries, or other suni'v 830 SUAIX FBDTT CULTUBI8T. frnits, lie can afford to make a specialty of that one kind for one, two or more days, engaging the entire apparatui and force of his establishment upon it ; but, if only a few hundred baskets can be obtained at any one time, then it will not pay him to attempt to preserve any. Thus it will he seen that we may supply or glut a market with a few hundred baskets or pounds of a particular kind; when, if the supply was thousands of baskets, or tons in- fitead, there would soon be a scarcity. Just as soon as it is known that any good kind of fruit can be had in abun dance, there will be means found for disposing of it, and usually at a better price than when there is a compara- tive scarcity. Capital is usually drawn into channels where it can be employed continuously as well as profita. bly. Gail Borden's process for condensing milk has been successfully applied to the juice of the Currant, and a similar substance to the common jelly manufactured with- out sugar, and at less than half the cost. In the con- densed form. Currant juice may be transported to any por- tion of the globe, and become an article of commerce. When water is added, it again becomes a liquid — ^valuable for medicinal purposes, as well as a luxury. Vessels start- ing upon long voyages would do well to lay in a supply of this article, for there are many diseases which are more or less prevalent on ship-board, particularly when in tropi- cal climates, in which a free use of Currant juice would be, at least, beneficial to the patient, if not a curative. The red Currants are more generally used for making jellies than the white, but why, it would be difficult to telL Perhaps it is like many other anomalies we observe in market, the cause of which can only be attributed to a more general acquaintance with the kind, or to an attrac- tive color. The white Currants, as a class, are of a richer flavor and less acid than the Bed. The Black Currants are not so acid as the red and white varieties, but their strong musky flavor is not, as i CUBRAST. 221 rule, agreeable to the American taste; yet, like many other fruits of strong flavor, it gradually becomes less ob- jectionable, until at last, through familiarity, a taste for it is acquired, and then it is appreciated and valued as highly ■s any other. Every year there appears to be an increas- mg demand for the Black Currants, and the time will soon come, if it has not already arrived, vrhen they will com- mand full prices and he sold in large quantities. Currant wine made from the diflferent kinds is a well known article but whether its manufacture should be encouraged, or otherwise, I wiU leave to the temperance societies to de- tide. The price of Currants in our eastern markets varies from four to fifteen cents per pound ; usually the largest and best varieties will bring ten cents at wholesale. At the last named price, fbur to six hundred dollars per acre can be obtaiaed. In planting the common red and white kinds, four feet each way is sufficient, thus giving 2,722 plants per acre. if we estimate our crop at two pounds per plant, whicli is not one-half the amount they should produce when fully grown, we will get 5,444 pounds per acre, or over two tons and a half, and at two huudred dollars per ton it amounts to over five hundred dollars. Then we have the gathering, shipping, cultivation, and other incidental ex- penses to deduct therefrom. But even then it can be seen that it ■wUl be a very profitable crop. In case of great abundance the prices might be somewhat reduced, but by good cultivation the crop may be double the estimate given above. The Currant possesses many good qualities to recom- mend it ; among which are its perfect hardiness, early cul- ture, great productiveness, and almost the certainty of a full orop every yeai CHAPTER Vn GOOSEBEHRY. NATUBAl. FAMILY GR0SSU1ACE.«. IAAm Oroirularta, of Botanists ; Slbes Uva Cfrispa, of Llnnsns ; OrotuiaiT, ol Ibe Trench ; Stachelbeere-strauc/i, Oerman ; Uva-apina, Italian ; OnmeUa, Spanlih ; Khilsba, of the Dntch.] GENERAL CHARACTER. Low, deciduous shrubs ; stems mostly bearing thorng at the base of the leaf-stallts, in some the spines or prickles scattered, asunlly more abundant at the base of the stems than above; leaves alternate, palmately lobed; fruit a one-celled berry, produced in small clusters, smooth or prickly. SPECIES. The following are indigenous to the United States, ao Bording to Dr. Gray and Chapman. Ribes CynosbatL — "Wild Gooseberry. — ^Leaves pubes- cent; peduncles slender, two to three flowered; spines strong ; berry large, armed with long prickles, like a burr, ••arely smooth. Ri hirtellum. — Smooth Gooseberry. — Leayes somewha; pubescent beneath ; peduncles very short, one to two 222 G008EBEBBT. 233 flowered ; stems either smooth or prickly, and with verj short thorns. Common in all the Northern States. The well known Houghton's Seedling, of the nurseries, belongs to this species. Ri rotnndifoliuilii — ^Leaves nearly smooth, rounded, with very short and blunt lobes; peduncles slender, one to three flowered ; fruit smooth, pleasant flavored, Ri lacustrei — Swamp Gooseberry. — ^Young stems with bristly prickles and weak thorns ; leaves heart-shaped, three to five-pointed, vdth lobes deeply cut ; fruit bristly. Cold woods and swamps from New England to the West and northward. R. ^racile. — Axillary spine very short; leaves on a slender petiole,. pubescent on both sides; the lobes acute, incised and acutely toothed ; peduncles long, one to two flowered.- Mountains of Tennessee;, (Chapman in Flora of the Southern States.) . , There are several other species, or those described as such, but as we have no cultivated varieties of them, it is hardly necessary to give a full description. The following are but a portion of those known : Ri OXycanthoideSt — Native of Canada and Newfound land, and to the northward. Ri diTaricatum. — Branches divaricate, bristly or naked ; berries black, smooth. Native of Northwest coast of America. R. microphyllum. — Small Leaved Gooseberry. — Native of the mountains of Mexico. Flowers red. R. cuneifolium. — Berry pale red, resembles the R. Uva Oriipa. Native of Pern, on the Andes. FOREIGN SPECIES. 'R. Crossularla. {Uva CHspa, L.) — Leaves three to five-lobed, rather villous; prickles two or three undei each bud ; branches otherwise smooth, spreading or erect 2'Zi SHALL FBUrr CCLTUBIBT. berries smooth or covered with prickles, red, green or je\ low. Native of the whole of Northern Europe, and io the woods of Britain. This species is the parent of all the noted varieties of the English gardens. Other species are known, but not possessing merits superior to the above, no attempt has been made to im- prove them. The native species of America are reall/ superior to the S. Orossularia in its normal state. But in England great attention has been paid to the cultivation and improvement of this fruit, consequently varieties of great size, beauty and excellence have been the result. HISTORY. The Gooseberry has no separate history from the Cur- rant. It was, as we have before stated, not known as a cultivated fruit until within the last two or three hundred years. Parkinson, in 1640, mentions eight varieties, but the varieties increased so rapidly in the next hundred years, that Miller, in 1731, said that it was needless to un- dertake to enumerate them. If this was true in the days of Miller, it is certainly so at the present time, because varieties have been constantly increasing ever since, until some of the English nursery- men enumerate three hundred kinds in th«ir catalogues. In this country very little attention has been paid to the Gooseberry, and the list of kinds grown from native species is very small, which is very much to be regretted, inasmuch as the European sorts do not, as a general thing lucceed in America. PROPAGATION. The same methods recommended for the Currant, with one or two exceptions, are equally applicable to tht Gooseberry. aOOSBBBBBT. 2^5 Ab a general thing, it does not ripen its wood bo oarlj in the season as the Currant, and the planting of the ont- tings may be deferred until spring. They are, however, more certain, if made in the fall after the leaves have fallen, or when the young wood is folly mature, than if the operation is deferred until spring. The cuttings may be buried either in the open ground or cellar, being careful not to allow them to become dry and shrivelled or too wet. Growing from seed cannot be too highly recommended at the present time, because we are in great want of varieties suited to our climate, and it is scarcely to be expected that we shall obtain them in any other way than by growing seedlings from our native We have plenty of varieties which were produced from the seeds of foreign kinds, but they are neither superior in quality or size, nor any better suited to our climate than the originals. Native varieties from naiive species is the field in which to labor for making permanent progress, and the general success of the few varieties that have been produced, showe the truth of this assertion. FBUNIXQ AND TRAINING. The single stem system is probably the best one for training the Gooseberry. The fruit is produced on short spurs on the two and three years old wood, as well as on that of the preceding year, and the directions given for the Currant are applicable to the Gooseberry. If but little fruit is desired, and that of large size, then prune close, and leave but few branches, and the opposite course may be followed for a large crop. The GoosebeiTy should be train- ed with a very open head, more so than the Currant, be- cause if the air does not have free access to every portion of the plant, mildew is almost certain to destroy not only the fruit, but the inside branches, if not the whole plant 10 336 SMALL PEUIT CULTUKIST. A proper distribution of the branches should be observ. ed, and be so arranged that they shall be at regular dis- tances from each other. Then all little side shoots, thai may appear in summer, should be pruned oflf. The young ghoots sliould be annually shortened, but to what extent will depend somewhat upon the amount of growth tha plants have made, as well as upon the quantity and quality of fruit desired. Summer pruning, except to take out small weak shoots or to check the rampant growth of a particular branch which is attracting too much of the strength of the plant, is not beneficial, inasmuch as it of- ten causes young, weak, lateral shoots to be produced, which often fail to come to maturity. The Gooseberry may be trained as espaliers, or with » single stem and side spurs, or in almost any manner that one's fancy may suggest. The regular annual pruning may be performed at any time after the wood is fully matured in the fall, until tha buds swell in the spring. BOIL AND CULTURE. The Gooseberry likes a good, deep, moist soil, but ons that is not really wet. A rich soil is also essential, be- cause it is only by keeping up a vigorous growth that large fruit and abundant crops can be secured. An open, airy situation is better than one that is confined, and in many sections of the country the north side of a hill would be far preferable to a southern exposure. The ex treme heat of our summer has been the greatest impedi- ment to the successful cultivation of the English Goose- berries, and to counteract this, the coolest available situa- tion should be selected. Also, in enriching the ground, use no fermenting manure; apply none but that which is old and well rotted. Cow manure is far better than horse manure, particularly on light, warm soils. Mulching the plants in summer is very beneficial, aud if tan bark oi GOOSEBEBBT. S27 «pent hops from a brewery can be obtained, they should be used in preference to hay or straw. Good culture is rpxjnired to produce good crops, the same as with other fruits. Mildew. — ^This is the one great enemy to the Goose* berry in the United States. It not only attacks the fruit, but often extends over the whole plant, effectually check- ing its growth. So prevalent has this disease become, that the foreign varieties are almost universally discarded, as there are few locations where they will succeed. There are many remedies which have been from time to time recommended, and they often appear to be effectual, while in other instances they are of no use whatever. The following remedies against mildew are worth try' ing, although they cannot be called radical cures : Scatter flour of sulphur over the bushes soon after the berries have set, and repeat the application occasion- ally until the fruit is ripe. Water the plants with strong soap-suds, or dissolve one pound of potash in a barrel of water, and then sprinkle the plants once a week with it. Soak fresh mown or dry hay in brine for twelve hours ; then cover the entire surface of the soil about the plants with this, as a mulch. If hops, tan bark, or other mulch has previously been applied, then sprinkle it with salt ; a single handful to each plant will be sufficient. All of these remedies will often fail, but still they are worth trying. Old plants are more liable to suffer from mildew than young ones, therefore it is best to keep a •upply of fresh plants always on hand; in fact, so long as you can keep the plant growing vigorously, there is but Bttle danger from mildew. I have often seen the foreign varieties doing splendidly In a half shady situation, such as the north side of a wall or fence, or in the shade of trees ; but such a situation 223 bMAIX rBTTIT OITLTUBIST. cannot be recommended as the best, because nuldew doei destroy plants under just such circumstances. No effec- tual remedy can be given, nor the best location pointed out, because the experiences of different cultivators are so con- flicting, that the one which appears to be the best in one location, would seem to be the very poorest for another. Wherever the foreign kinds will grow without being at- tacked by mildew, they are certainly far preferable to any of our native ones ; but my own remedy against mildew is, to cultivate none but the native varieties, for with these I have never experienced the least trouble, nor as yet had » berry affected by disease of any kind. INSECTS. The Gooseberry and Currant are so nearly related, that many of the injurious insects are common to both. The Currant-moth, {Abraxis,) is equally destructive to the Gooseberiy, while the Currant-borer seldom, if ever, at- tacks it. Harris, Fitch, and other entomologists, describe quite a number of insects that are occasionally found upon the Gooseberry, but thus far their ravages in this country have not been very extensive. The following are occa- sionally met, and if they should become numerous, would, at the same time, become very injurious : Lecanium Cynosbatit — Gooseberry Bark-louse.— (Mtch.) — ^Attacking the stalks of the wild Gooseberry; a hemispheric, smooth, shining resia-brown reale, commonly freckled with dull yellow dots, and with a dull yellow Btripe along its middle. Remedy, close pruning, and an application of potash dissolved in water ; one pound to eight gallons of water. Pseciloptera pruinosa— Mealy Plata— (ySay.) — ^A small four-winged fly, of a dark bluish color, covered with a mealy white powder, which attacks the leaves late in the leason, puncturing the leaves and young shoots, sucking the juices of the plant. OOOSEBE^BT 2S& Probably, dusting the plants with ashes or lime would destroy them, or at least prevent their attacks. Cecidomyia Grossulariae— Gooseberry Miige—{Mtch.) — ^"The berries turning red prematurely and becoming putrid, having in them small, bright yellow maggots, of an oblong-oval form, and slightly divided into segments by fine impressed transverse lines ; changing to pupsa in the berries, and in the latter part of July giving out a small two-winged fly, resembling a musquito, of beeswax yellow color." The berries should be gathered so soon as they show signs of premature ripening, and fed to hogs, or otherwise destroyed. In addition to the above, and the various insects in* jurious to the Currant and G-ooseberry, there are several others which occasionally do some harm, either to the leaves or fruit. There is a minute moth which breeds in the fruit, the caterpillar eating out the center of the berry. In wet seasons a species of Plant-Louse {Aphis ribis) infests the Eed Currant, but does not attack the black varieties, or the Gooseberry, but none of these are very destructive, and the cultivator can usually get rid of them by the use of the simple insecticides usually at hand. Those who are familiar with the habits of insects can do much by removing the eggs, often laid in clus- ters, and destroying them before they hatch, and the brood is scattered. PROFITS OF CULTURE. There is far less demand for the Gooseberry than almost any other of our small fruits. It is generally gathered before it is ripe, and sold for making pies, tarts, etc., con- sequently, the demand for it is not so great as for other fi-uits, which are used for a greater variety of purposes. In the New York markets, the price varies from one to three, or four dollars per bushel But whether the duf 230 SHAIX FEUrr CtTLTUEIST. mand would -warrant a very extended culture, is uncertain, at least. Each cultivator will have to be his own judge in the matter, and if he can he sure of obtaining two dollars per bushel, he can make Gooseberry culture profitable, at least with the native varieties. Two to four hundred bushels per acre can be grown of these kinds, and the TO8t of culture, gathering, marketing, etc., ought not to be over fifty cents per bushel. I have grown the Houghton Seedling, (which I do not consider the best or most profitable,) and sold the fruit for one dollar and fifty cents per bushel, and believe it was a profitable transac- tion. NATIVE VARIETIES. Cluster! — {American Jied, Dutch Joe, Pale Red, 8t. Clair, Roberta^ Sweet Water, etc.) — Small, oval, about three-fourths of an inch long; reddish purple; sweet, juicy, and good. Bush, a strong, slender grower ; leaves light, bright green ; very productive. Cluster Seedling.— Similar to its parent, but slightly more upright in growth, and the leaves of a pale grayish- green. Dbliniing. — ^Medium to Inrge, oval, about f of an inch long ; greenish-white ; excellent flavor. Plant, an upright grower; leaves deep shining green; very productive; probably the best native variety. Originated with Charles Downing, New burgh, N. T. Houghton's Seedling.— Fruit small to medium, round- ish-oval, pale red, sweet, tender, and very good ; leaves deep shining green. The young plants upright in growth, but as they become old they assume a spreading, almost weeping habit. A vigorous and productive variety, and is seldom affected by mildew. Originated with Abel Houghton, Lynn, Mass. Mountain Seedling. — Large, roundish-oval, pale red; »kin rather tough and thick, but of fair quality. Ths OOOSBBSBBT. 23] oirgest of the native vnrieties ; often over an inch in length. Plant a coarse, spreading grower, with very strong spineii. Productive and valuable. Originated with tlie Shakers, at Lebanon, Pa. POR-EIQN VAKIETIE8. To attempt to give a list of the best foruign varieties, would be the bight of folly on my part, inasmuch as thei-e .8 no dozen or more sorts upon whicli any two of the most experienced English growers would agree. The number of really first class varieties known in England is almost innumerable, and a host of new ones are brought forward every season. To give some idea of the attention which is paid to the culture of this fruit in England, I will state that the Armual Gooseberry Grow- ers' Register, for 1863, is a volume of over 200 pages, and gives reports of one hundred and fifty-five Gooseberry shows. When the horticulturists of the United States will sup- port as many exhibitions for the purpose of showing any one or all the small fruits combined, then we shall have no need of looking to other countries for new varieties. Among the old varieties which have been known in thiH country for twenty to forty years, and are still esteemed as good as any, I will name the following : Rkd. — Ironmonger, Wariington, Red Champagne, Red Walnut. Gbeen. — Green Walnut, Green Globe, Green Gage, White Smith. Tellow. — Golden Drop, Sulphur, Conqueror, Tellow Champagne, Hunt's, Tawny, Royal Sovereign. WuiTE.— Large Crystal. Royal George, White Datoh, White Walnut 332 BlUIX. FBUn CTTLTUBIST. Among the very newest and largest varieties vhicb have taken premiums at the great Gooseberry shows in England, I give the following twelve as the heaviest nam- ed in this record : Red. — ^Leicester's Smoker, Brotherton's Foreman, Pilk- inton's Farmer. Gbbek. — Prophet's Diadem, Becket's Bravo, Brother ton's Birchen Lane. Yellow. — Wilkinson's Oyster Girl, Eardlay's Hannah. WnrrB. — Shingler's Edna, Miss Soars, Walton's Annie. The heaviest berry weighed 29 dwt. 13 grsT; and the lightest 16 dwt. 2 grs. Bat to produce berries of the weights given requires extra care, more than probably any of our cultivators would be likely to give to the Gooseberry, even if our dimate was as suitable to its culture as that of England CHAPTER VUL COENELIAN CHEEEY.-CComroa.) BItdbal Familt CoRNACBLa. — (Dogwood or ComeL) [Name derived from Cbmu, a horn, alluding to the hardneas of the wood, ll Viench, Q>mBu8ler: Batch, Kano^t; German, JTornel £irwt4 ; Italian, On' nuit; Spanlih, CWn^^.] GENERAL CHARACTERS. The Bpeoies constituting this genus are mainly deciduom """shraba^r small trees. Flowers small, inconspicuous, but in some species they are surrounded by a large and showy involucre, which is sometimes called the flower, as in one of our native species, ( Comua florida). There is but one known species which produces &uit worthy of our atten- tion. Cornns mascnlai — Cornelian Cherry. — Shrubs growing ten to' twenty feet high, with smooth branches; leaves oval, acuminate, of a dull green color; flowers small, yel- low, in clusters, produced early in spring, before the leaves ; fruit oblong, about one inch in length and half an inch in diameter; color bright reddish-scarlet ; flesh firm, slightly juicy when ripe, acid, not particularly agreeable in its raw state ; fruit ripens in September, but remains a long tim« on the bush, which makes it exceedingly-i^namentaL ^33 23 V SMALL FEtJIT CULTUEIST. A variety of this species produces fruit of a bright yel- low color. The fruit is a little larger than the red, and not quite so acid. HISTORY. The Cornel, as it is generally called in our older works on gardening, is a native of the South of Europe and Fig. 99. — COENELIAN CHEKET. Eastern Asia. It is mentioned by nearly all of the ancient writers. Sometimes the fruit is named, while others praise the quality of the wood, which is very hard. That it was formerly used for arrows and javelins, we infer from the COBXSUAir CHBBBY, ftequent allusions made to it in connection with imple ments of war. Homer, in the Odyssey, Book xrv, says : " His cornel spear, Ulysses wared to ronse the savage war." [t is also mentioned in a similar connection in Virgil's Georgics. Theophrastus and Pliny are supposed to refer to it when gpealdng of some of the hard kinds of wood growing wild In Italy, But these writers are generally so vague in their descriptions, that it is difficult to determine what particular trees or plants they were endeavoring to describe. Nearly every English author, from Tusser, who, in his work written in 1557, called them Cornel Plums, down to the present time, have nientioned the CorneL Some eulogize the beauty as well as quality of the fruit, while others refer to. it as merely an ornamental plant. The name Maacula or Mas was given it from the fact that plants grown from seed produce only staminate or male flowers for the first ten to fifteen years; afterwards flowers of both sexes appear, followed by fruit. It appears to have derived the name of Dogwood from a wild species found in Britai.i, which bears a small fruit, not edible. Parkinson says this wild species was called hounds-tree, (dog-berry tree,) because the fruit was not fit for the dogs ; hence the name Dogwood, which has become the common name of the whole genus. The Cornelian Cherry is not very plentiful in the United States, although nearly every nurseryman keeps the plants for sale. The long time which it requires to bring seedling plants into bearing, has been one reason why we see so few in private gardens. In the older nurseries and gardens near our eastern cities, bearing plants are frequently seen, but they are not «o common as their merits deserve. The plants live to a great age, and there are specimens ID' Europe, which are known to have been planted more than two hundred years. 236 SHALL FBurr oultubist. PROPAGATION. Bt Sbbus. — ^Plants are more generally grown from eeed than otherwise ; consequently, for reasons previously stated, they are a long time coming into bearing. The fruit should be gathered in the fall, and the seeds separated from the pulp ; then mixed with earth, and buried where they will keep moist, and not be disturbed until the ensu- ing autumn. They will seldom, if ever, germinate the first season ; consequently there is no use of sowing them where it is desirable to have them grow, and be obliged to cultivate the ground where there are no plants. When the seeds have remained one season in the rot-heap, (to use a gardener's phrase,) take them out and sow in drills, plac- mg the seeds two or three inches apart, and cover two mches deep. The seedlings produce a mass of small fibrous roots, and can be rapidiy transplanted in spring or autumn. If bearing plants are at hand, from which buds or grafts can be obtained, then it is better to uHe the seed- lings as stock. In this case, they should be transplanted from the seed-beds into rows four feet apart, placing the plants about a foot apart in the rows. The seedlmgs wiU usually be large enough to work the third year. Cuttings. — ^These should be made of the one year old wood, and in the same manner as described in the preceding chapter for the Barberry. The cuttings do not root very freely, and to insure even moderate success, tho ground should be kept very moist during the early part of the season, or until roots are produced. A deep, moist soil ig requisite, and if covered with mulch, so much the better, Latebs. — ^This is the most common mode of propagat- ing from bearing plants. Put down the layers in early •pring, cutting them as usual with woody plants, anA they wUl generally be suflSciently rooted to be rei&OYeJ from the parent plant in autumn. Layers do not usually make as handsome plant* v B* rane's-biU, while others state that it was because cranes were fond of the ftnit] GENERAL CHABACTERS. Low, trailing, evergreen shrubs, with 'very slender Dranches ; fruit-bearing steins erect ; flower bell-shaped, white, or tinged with red ; berry usually four to five-cell- ed ; seeds numerous. SPECIES. Taccininm Oxycoccns. — Small Cranberry. — Leavet ovate, acute, with revolute margins ; stems very slender berries very small, spotted when young, becoming red at maturity. Grows in peat bogs in nearly all of the North- em States, also in Northern Europe. V. macrocarpoili — Common American Cranberry. — Leaves oblong, obtuse, glaucous underneath, with slightly revolute margins. Flower-stems erect ; fruit pale pinkisb- 239 ^4:0 BUAIX FBUCr CULTUBIflT. white to deep red, one half to one inch in diameter ; varia ble in shape, from globular,- ovoid, ovate-oblons;, bell shape, etc. V. erythrocarpoili — ^Bush Cranberry. — ^Leaves decidu ous, oblong-ovate, acuminate, bristly serrate ; stems erect, flexible; two to four feet high; berry email, red, dry and insipid. High mountains of Virginia and North Carolina The Cranberry is almost exclusively a northern plant, and was probably not known to the Romans until their conquests in the North. In Northern Europe it has been highly appreciated for centuries, and immense quantities are annually brought into the English markets from Hussia and Sweden, in addition to those produced in Britain. The American Cranberry, V. macroca/rpon, was intro- duced into England in 1760, and, although acknowledged to be superior to the common European species, still we have no accounts of its being cultivated there to any con- siderable extent. The first settlers in America found the Cranberry in such abundance that there was no necessity for cultivat- ing it, until the population became so numerous that the natural supply would not equal the demand. This point was reached about thirty years ago, at which time nu- merous experiments in its cultivation commenced at Cape Cod, and in a few other places. Previous to this time, however, an occasional plot had been cultivated. Kenrick, in the New American Orchard- fet, 1832, says : Capt. Henry Hall, of Barnstable, Mass., has cultivated the Cranberry for twenty years. In the New England Farmer, Vol. IX, No. 18, is an account of 3 Mr. F. A. Hayden, of Lincoln, Mass., who, in 1830, sold from his farm 400 bushels of Cranberries for six hundred dollars. From these and a few other recorded instancei OBANBKBBT. 341 of Cranberry ciilturo, we infer that there were very few who attempted its cultivation previous to 1835 or 1840. Since that time there has been a steady increase, until, at the present time, thousands of acres are devoted to the culture of this fruit. Not only have individuals turned their attention to it, but companies have been formed with abundant means to cultivate the Cranberry upon an extensive scale. In addition to the benefit derived from having our mar^ kets supplied with the fruit, its culture is a source of na- tional wea'.tt, inasmuch as the land devoted to it was previously uncultivated, neither enriching individuals by its productions, nor yielding taxes to the State. Many of our low, boggy wastes, which formerly were sources of miasmatic di«>case8, have been changed into healthful locations and fruitful fields. PKOPAGATION. To propagate some of our cultivated fruits successfully, requires more or less sMU, but the Cranberry may be said to propagate itself. The plant, as it creeps along over the ground, thj"0W8 out innumerable roots, fixing every por- tion of the prostrate stems to the soU. If these branches do not root as soon as desired, a little earth thrown over them will hasten the process. The plants may be taken up f.nd planted whole, or be divided into small pieces, each of which will soon become « strong plant. Even the upright stems may be used for cuttings, and when planted in the spring, they will become rooted by the next fall. The small green tips of the growing branches may be taken off in summer, and rooted under a bell-glass, or in ordinary glazed frames. Cultivators seldom have rocourse to seeds for extending their plantations, but they may be planted for the purpose of producing new varieties as well as maltiplying old U 343 (TMAIX FBUIT CTTLTirBIST. ones. The seeds should be prepared and kept through the winter in the same manner as recommended for th« HucMeherry in a succeeding chapter. Sow them in drills and keep free of weeds, either by hoeing or mulching with saw-dust, or tan-bark, if grown on dry soils, but if on low grounds, use sand instead. Transplant into fhiiting-beds when one or two years old. PREPARATION OF SOIL. Naturally, the common Cranberry is a semi-aquatio plant, Fequiring a constant supply of water to ensure its highest state of perfection. It is usually found in low peat bogs, where it is often entirely submerged in the winter months, and the roots are in contact with water during a greater portion of the year. While this is the condition in which we usually find the wild plants, yet, occasionally, they are found upon high and dry soils. Judging, however, from the position in which we find the greatest quantities, we conclude that a wet soil is the most natural one. If we leave the normal con- dition of the plant out of the question, and base our con- olasions entirely upon the results of the many experiments which have been made in the last thirty years, we find that their cultivation in wet soils has been attended with the best success and the most remunerative results. It is not to be assumed that they cannot be grown upon soils that are naturally dry, for we have many instances of eao- cess under such circumstances, but, as a whole, the upland cultivation has not been equally profitable with the low land. It is not altogether for the purpose of supplying the plants with moisture that abundance of water is re- quired, but for other purposes, among which are the fol- lowing : First. — Covering the plants in winter, thereby affording; a protection from severe cold. CBANBBBBT. 343 Second.— Preventing the frost in spring from injuring the flowers. Third. — ^Destroying the Cranberry- worms, which some- times attack the plants and fruit. Assuming that these precautionary measures are neces- sary to the best results, it follows that a situatif^n should be selected where the conditions named can be scoured. Another important material, used iu preparing Cran- beiTy beds, is sand, which is spread over the surface of the soil. This not only in a great measure prevents the weeds from growing until the plants have entirely covered the beds, but keeps the fruit clean, besides making the surface always open and friable. Sometimes the low peat beds ►re so rich in nutritive matter, unless sand is used, that the vines would grow so luxuriant that they would be unpro- ductive. In fact, very little alluvial soil is needed, and when the deposit is a foot in depth, it will be fully equal, if not supe- rior, to a situation where it is more abundant. In some sections, tliey are grown in what appeai-s to be almost pure sand, there being scarcely a trace of nutritive matter to be found, the water and the materials held in solution therein, furnishing the principal portions of food to the plants. The first step in preparing a Cranberry bed is usually that of digging a broad, deep ditch entirely around the plot, for the purpose of draining oflEV the surface water, so that the ground may be cleaned. If the soil thrown out of the ditches is sufficiently compact, it may form the em- bankments; if not, then other soil must be added. When the water has been removed, then clear off all trees, logs, brush, and other incumbrances ; these may be burned on the ground, and the ashes scattered over the surface, pro- vided it can be done without endangering the soil. Some- tiroes, when the soil is very dry, there is danger of its bum- S44 8MAIX rBUIT CULTUBIST. mg to considerable depth. Some cultivators remove all ot the surface soil to the depth of six inches or a foot, and, in some cases, it may be beneficial for the purpose of bringing the whole bed to a lower grade, but where this is not re- quisite, and sand is abundant, it is cheaper to spread on a greater depth of sand and leave the whole depth of nat« aral soU. Again, if the peat is deep enough so that a portion can be spared, it should be carted, off for. manuring the adja- cent land, especially if it is of a sandy nature, for there is no more valuable manure, (barn-yard excepted,) than the top layer of these peat or muck swamps. It is always better to prepare the ground at least one season before planting, so that all weeds, brush, and roots, may be thor- oughly destroyed; because if it is not done at the start, it will be a difficult operation after the ground is covered with plants. Where the soil is sufficiently firm to admit of being plowed and harrowed, it is best to do so, as by this means a more thorough preparation can be obtained, and at less expense than when whoUy performed by hand. When the soU has been made level, and otherwise prepared, it should be covered with pure sand to the depth of from four to eight inches, the depth being regulated by the nature of the soil ; if it is very loose, then apply more than when comparatively compact, as more or less will sink into the soil below. A unifoim depth is quite important, and can easily l« obtained, provided the surface is made level before iti Bpplioatiou. The I'osition and texture of the soil wUl suggest the best mode of ap|iIicaiion, wlicthiT by teams or olherwise. There are many locations where ihese ])eat-bed8 are un- ierlaid wiih saml, and if ihe soil is not over one or two feet deep, ami can be sufficiently drained to allow of theil being conveniently worked, they mvtj be tienched, bring CEAITBHBBT. 245 ing the required amount of sand to the surface, instead of hauling it from a distance. The sand should be pure, and not mixed with clay, loam, or other soil. All of these cir< cumstances should be taken into consideration when select- ing a location for Cranberry plantations. Often one set of embankments, flood-gates, etc., will an- swer for several parties, if they can agree and join together in the undertaking. The size of the bed is immaterial; it may be one acre or one hundred, provided it can be mad level, so that one portion shall not be covered deeper than another, when flooded. The embankments should be at least four feet high when first made, for they will settle some ; besides, it is best to have them a foot or more above high -water mark, to guard against breaks. If one is in no hurry about planting, and is disposed to wait, the embankments may be formed and the ground flooded, and kept in this condition until the weeds, bushes, etc., upon it, are killed, after which the water may be withdrawn, and the preparation of the bed continued as be- fore directed. COST OF PREPABING THE BEDS. There can be no reliable estimates given as regards cost of preparing Cranberry beds, inasmuch as no two will be situated exactly alike. It will cost as much to remove the brush, trees, and logs, etc., from one piece of land, as to fully prepare another for the reception of the plants. The estimates vary from one hundred to six hundied dollai-s per acre. A thorough preparation will always be found to be the cheapest in the end. PLANTING. The usual time of setting the plants is in the spring, but where the beds can be kept moist, the operation may be oontinued during the entire summer. Sometinies the planti 346 BHAIX FRUTT CULTUBIBT. are put out late in the fall, and covered with a Bnfficicni depth of water to prevent the ground from freezing »nd throwing out the plants. The spring and early summei are, however, considered the best time for planting. Ths plants should be set in rows, from eighteen inches to four feet apart, according to the quantity and quality of plants obtained. The object is to cover the entire surface of the soil with vines, so soon as possible ; consequently, the bet- ter the plants and the nearer together they are placed, the sooner will this be accomplished. When large plants are to be had, and in sufficient quantities, it is better to place them about two feet apart, each way, than farther, and if the plants do well, they will entirely cover the beds the second season. Most of our larger plantations are made with plants taken directly from the wild beds, and they are removed in large clumps or sods. If there are any weeds or grass among the plants, they should be removed before planting, as they are more readily separated from them at this time than after they are planted. Small holes are made in which the plants are set, and the soil is then pressed firmly about them. If small plants or cuttings are used, they may be planted nearer together than larger ones. SELECTION OF PLANTS. It is important that plants should be obtained from fruitful beds, as well as those which produce the largest and best fruit. There are occasional wild beds that pro- duce little or no fruit ; these should be avoided. When plams cannot be obtained near by, from wild or cultivated beds, then they may be bought from those whose business u growing plants for sale. But the purchaser should en- deavor to inform himself in regard to the reliability of plant growers before ordering ; besides he should give im- perative directions that the plants should be carellilly taken Dp and not be allowed to become dry befi>re packings ai CBASBBBBT. 24? well as that the latter operation should be performed ih *he best manner. A very little extra expense in paoking; or in procuring plants of the best quality, will often be re paid a hundred fold in the first crop. Cranberry planta tions are expected to be a permanent investment which shall give annual returns for a lifetime ; it therefore be- comes very important that every precaution should be taken to make it as perfect as possible. CULTIVATION. For the first two or three seasons the beds should be carefully cultivated, and no weeds or sprouts from brush- roots be permitted to grow. The amount of labor requir- ed is usually far less than with ordinary farm crops, still a constant attention is necessary, so that the plants shall have the full benefit of the entire soil, and not be obUged to combat with weeds, grass, or other impediments. "When the plants have gained possession of the whole surface, there will be very little cultivation required. An occa> sional sprout or clump of grass may appear, which it will be necessary to remove. APPLYING WATER. The water should be let on to the beds at the approach of cold weather, not until the ground begins to freeze, but before it has become frozen hard. The time will vary in different locations, and the cultivator must apply it ac- cording to circumstances, and not be guided by set rules as to time. The beds should be covered, so that the water will be deep enough to prevent freezing the plants. At the North, it should be at least two feet deep, while south of the latitude of New York, one foot will ordinarily answer. It should remain upon the beds until the cold weather is past in the spring, when it should be drawn ofij leaving it about two inches deep over the surface, until all danger of trout iapast. S48 BiCAix FBurr cvltcbist. Where late spring frosts are known to be frequent and severe, it is best to keep on the full depth of water until there is no longer any risk. The longer the water is kept on, the later will the plants bloom. In some locations the plants are covered for about fouf or five months in winter, while in others, two or three wiU be sufficient. There is no danger of the plants being injured by the water so long as it remains cool, and the later it is kept on, the less the danger of spring frosts injuring the flowers. Sometimes it is beneficial to flow the beds in summer at time of drouth, but in such cases it is only necessary to apply sufficient to give the soil a good soaking. K the water is admitted into the ditches which surround the beds, (if they are not too large,][ it will be sufficient to prevent injury from drouth. GATHERING. Formerly the berries were gathered with an instrument called a Cranberry rake, but of late years this method has been almost entirely abandoned, and hand picking has taken its place. When gathered by hand, the fruit is not apt to be crushed, besides a far less amount of dirt and leaves are mixed with them ; consequently hand-picked fruit will bring a much higher price than any other. Various kinds of baskets, crates, hurdles, &o., are used in gathering the fruit ; the main object being to allow all foi-eign materials, gathered with it, to fall through when being carried in the field, or when spread out to dry. All unsound berries should be carefully picked out before the fruit is packed for market. VARIETIES. Like other fruits, the Cranberry varies considerably in itB wild state ; besides, when cultivated, new variations are sonatantly occurring. All the vai-ieties in cultivation al CEANBEEET. 349 Fig. 100.— CHEKKT CRANBEKKT. the present time in this country, belong to one species, the v. macrocarpon. These vary in size, from a half inch up to an inch or over in diameter. Fig. 100 shows a variety usually called the Cherry Cranberry, and fig. 101, one of the largest of the Bell variety. Fig. 103 illustrates the Bell form, and in fig. 103 we give an exact representation of some remarkably fine specimens, raised by Mr. Orrin C. Cook, of South Milford, Mass. There are many other shapes intermediate between these, but we have given the principal ones. In color, the varieties vary from a greenish-yellow . or white to dark, rich purple. New varieties are being pro- duced, and, doubtless, in a few years, great improvements will be made in the size, if not in the quality, of the Cran- berry. INSECTS. There appear to be two kinds of worms which infest the Cranberry. One of these attacks the young fruit «nd the other the plants. The first is described as a small Fig. 101.— BUOLB CEAHBEEKT. worm about half an inch in length, with a black head; the other is about the same length, with a red hccA Although it is said that these woi-ms nxe very destruc 11 260 SMALL TRVIT CULTUKIST. tive in some sections of the country, there appears to be no definite information as to their origin, period of life, or what kind of insect produces the eggs from -which they are hatched. These worms are more destructive in beds that are not flooded than elsewhere. When- ever the plants and fruit are attacked, the water should be let on to the beds and allowed to remain for sjx to twenty-four hours ; this would doubtless destroy the worms without materially injuring the plants. The ravages of the Cranberry worms have not been very extensive, nor very wide spread, and, although I have visit- ed many hundreds of acres of Cranberry beds, I have not as yet seen one of these worms ; neither have I been able to find a description of them, or their scientific names, in any work on entomology. It is to be hoped that for the Fig. 102.-BELI, OBAITBEBBY. Fig. 103.— LAEGE CKANBBBRT. sake of science, some one who has an opportunity will investigate this subject, and give us the results. UPLAND CULTURE. Although the cultivation of the Cranberry upon dry up land cannot be recommended as equal to lowland cultivar CBANBXRBT. 251 tion, still it possesses so much that is interesting and advan- tageous that it deserves the attention of those who have no other means of growing them. Even a partial success will very often be highly remunerative, besides affording much pleasure to the cultivator. There are but few gardens or soils where the experiment is not worth trying on a small scale, even if it is not suo- cessful, because the expense is so slight that a total failure would be no great loss of capital. A light sandy or loamy soil, one that is naturally moist, should ba selected, if convenient, and prepared as thor- oughly as for a vegetable garden. If swamp-mud or peat can be had, it is well to give a liberal dressing, mixing it with the soil ; rake all level, and then plant in rows about two feet apart, and one foot apart in the rows. Hoe the plants as long as it can be conveniently done without disturbing them, after which no cultivation is re- quired, except to pull out large weeds or grass that ma^ occasionally appear. If saw-dust can be had, it should be applied as a mulcl^ scattering a light dressing in among the plants ; this will keep the soil moist and assipt in keeping the weeds down. A small plot of three or four rods square will, if they suc- ceed, be sufficient to supply an ordinary family. In addition to the value of the fruit, the Cranberry is an exceedingly ornamental plant at all times of the season, whether iu fruit or flower. The variety known as the Bell Cranberry is generally planted on upland, but it is proba^ ble that others, with proper care, will succeed equally as well There are a few cultivators in the vicinity of New York who grow all of the improved varieties on upland, and claim that they are very successful with them. Judging from the fruit that has been shown by these gen- tlemen at our horticultural faii-s, the berries grow to as large a size, if not in such large quantities, on upland as upon the low. By obtaining seeds from these upland beds, and 352 BUAu, FEurr cultubist. by producing new varieties therefrom, plants may be ob tained that will be better adapted to dry soils than any previously known. It is certainly worthy of trial, and 1 would advise all who have leisure and inclination to try the experiment fully and thoroughly. PROFITS OF CULTURE. The profits of Cranberry culture, like those from other fruits, depend somewhat upon the amount of care given the beds as well as upon the markets. There is also a lia- bility of failure from unforeseen causes ; stUl the Cranberry may be considered as certain as any other fruit. To make anything like a fair estimate in regard to profits, we are obliged to select from the reports of the various growers throughout the country, and draw our conclusions there- from. But in many instances these are so vague that we can only approximate to the truth. I have inserted a few of such as I deem reliable, omitting those which appear to be too far above the average : Mr. Edmund Bagley, of Massachusetts, reports in the Journal of Commerce : cost of land, $12 per acre ; clean- ing, $100; vines and setting, $50; cultivation, $10 pei year. The fourth year, average crop, 300 bushels per acre ; worth $2.50 per bushel. F. Trowbridge, New Haven, Conn., considers the usual average about 175 to 200 bushels per acre. Mr. Sullivan Bates says, that on beds that have been carefully prepared, the yield will be from 150 to 400 bush- els per acre. J. H. Baker, of Westport, Mass., reports the average crop about 175 bushels. Trowbridge and Davis, of Ocean County, N". J., report 10 acres in bearing ; crop 1,100 bushels ; although tha beds were new, and have not arrived at an age at whick a frill crop could be expected. OBANBEBBT. 253 At Shamong, N. J., a small bed is reported to hare jielded 220 bushels per acre. W. R. Braddock, of Bedford, K J., has 100 acres; 20 acres of which yielded, last season, 1866, an average of 100 bushels per acre. The fruit sold for a price which left him $6,000 over and above all expenses. The above statements are about a fair average of the various reports received from the proprietors of Cranberry beds in the Eastern States. The price of the fruit varies from $2.00 to $6.00 per bushel It is probable that when the immense beds, which are now being planted, have ar- rived at full maturity, our markets will be fully supplied, unless some new way of disposing of the fruit is dia* oovered, wmch it is very likely will be the owe. CHAPTER X. HTICKLEBERRY.— (Family Ebicacb/B.) Hickleberries were formerly all included nndei tht genus Vdcoinium, but botanists now separate them into the genera, Gaylussacia and Vaccinium, In general appearance they resemble one another, being branching shrubs, with bell-shaped or urn-shaped corollas and 2- parted anthers. The fruit ts a 10 to many seeded berry. The Qayluasadas differ from the Vacciniums in having only one seed in each cell of the fruit, and their foliage is often sprinkled with resinous dots. For our purposes it is convenient to consider them all under one head. The species best known in the United States as produc- ing edible fruit, are chiefly deciduous shrubs of medium size, blooming in May and June, and ripening their fruit from July to September. SPECIES. The number of species of Huckleberry is quite large, «nd I shall only name a few of the best. Gaylussacia frondosa. — Blue Dangleberry. — Leavea obovate, oblong, pale glaucous beneath ; branches slender imooth. Fruit dark blue, covered with white bloom, awed flUCKI^BBBBT. 255 unci edible. Bash grows three to six feet high. Fouml from New England to "Virginia in low grounds. Gt resinosa. — Black HucklebeiTy. — Leaves oval or ob- long, clammy when young ; plants quite branching, the young shoots pubescent ; fruit black without bloom, with an agreeable flavor ; bush, two to three feet high. Com moD in swamps and low grounds at the NortL Taccininm PennsylTanicum. — Dwarf Blueberry. — Leaves oblong, sometimes lanceolate, smooth and shining ; branches green, somewhat angled, occasionally waity; bush one to three feet, very prolific ; berries blue, ripening early. The fruit of this species is highly prized on account of its earliness, but it is not so agreeable in flavor as soir others. Abundant in dry, sandy seasons, from Maryland northward. T. Canadensei— Canada Blueben-y. — Leaves more or Jess downy, common in low grounds ; otherwise similar to the preceding species. Y, corymbosum. — Swamp Blueberry, or High-bush Huckleberry. — Leaves oval or oblong, variable in size and color. Shrubs four to ten feet high, common in low, wet places. Fruit black, covered with bloom, sweet but sprightly ; the best Huckleberry ; ripens late in the season, August and September. Fig, 104 shows a small branch, with bunch of frait of natu- ral size. This species assumes various foi-ms and colors; some- times the fiTxit is oval, approaching an oblong, while others are globular or slightly compressed. The Black High-bush Huckleberry, as it is generally called, is quite distinct, the fruit being destitute of bloom and of inferior flavor. It is distinguished by the name of V. corymbosum, var. atrocoo lum, by Dr. Gray. There are many other species and varie- ties growing wild all over the country. There are also foreign species, but none of them superior to those named. I do not think it necessary to enter into any minute detail i 1156 SMALL PEUIT CTJLTtTEIST. Fig. 104.— SWAMP HUCBXBBEKBT. HUCKLBBEEKT. 357 of the history or cultivation of this fruit, from the fact that there is nothing connected therewith which would make the subject interesting. The Huckleberry is one of those fruits which have always been neglected ; none of our horti- cultural writers have deemed it worthy of any particular description, and but very few have thought it worthy of mention. Why this neglect, I am at loss to understand, for the Huckleberry possesses naturally better qualities than even the Currant and Gooseberry. All of our northern species are perfectly hardy, produc- ing no thorns, (which is such a disagreeable feature with many of our small fruits,) and the plants are generally quite productive. The berries are more firm than the Raspberry, Black- berry, or Strawberry, consequently, will bear carriage well, and are suitable for market. Thousands of bushels are annually gathered from the woods and fields, but these sources of supply will not al- ways be available ; besides, we should not be content with depending wholly upon nature for either the necessaries or the luxuries of life, wliile a helping hand would not only increase the quantity, but improve the quality. • Those species, which naturally grow upon high, dry soils, will probably be the best for garden culture ; still, be- cause a plant is found in its wild st.nte in any particular soil or situation, it does not follow that similar circum- stances are always necessary for its best development when nnder cultivation. If nature invariably located plants un- der the most favorable conditions for growth, then improve- ments would be less certain and far more difficult than now. The history of horticulture affords abundnnt tesj,i- mony to the fact that many plants succeed far better in soils and locations differing very materially from the one in which nature has placed them, than otherwise. The Swamp Huckleberry, {V. cori/mbosum,) is some 358 SUAIX FRTJIT OULTUEIBT.' times foun(5 upon high, dry soils, although it grows chiefly m locations where the roots are immersed in water for th« greater portion of the year. That it will grow and pro- duce fruit upon high and dry soils, I have proved hy ex- periment. There is no great difficulty in removing the plants from their native locality to the garden, but our main depend- ence for improvement should be upon seedlings, because they will always vary more or less from the parent, and by carefully selecting the best improvements, are certain. The seeds are ^uite small, and require considerable care iu sow- ing. A good plan is, to crush the berries, and mix them with fine sand ; then put them in a box or flower-pot, and bury in the open ground until spring. Prepare a seed-bed, the soil of wliich should be, at least, half leaf-mould, or peat, from a swamp; the remainder may be any good garden soil. Surround tJie bed with boai'ds, a foot or more in width, mix the soil tlioroughly and rake level, then sow on the sand containing the seeds ; then sift over tliis soil suf- ficient to cover the seeds, about a quarter of an in(5h deep, givQ a good soaking of water and ])lace a screen over the frame. It may be made of latli, coarse clolli, or anything that will partially shade the plants when they come up, but not wholly exclude the light. Keep the soil well wa- tered, applying the water with a watering-pot, or in such a manner that the seeds or plants will not be disturbed. The seedlings may be transplanted when one year old, if they ha^a made a good growth, or remain in the seed-bed for two years. They will usually come into bearing in three to six years, at which time the best should be marked, so that they may be propagated. The inferior kinds may be thrown away, or be reserved for stocks, on which to work the others. Budding and grafting may be employed in propagation, as well as layers, the operation being pen formed in the usual manner. CHAPTER XI. SHEFHEEDIA. FAMILY BL^AGNACEJB. [Named In honor of John Shepherd, formerly curator of the Liverpool Botanlg Garden.] GENERAL CHARACTERS. Deciduous shrubs, or small trees, with silvery leaves ; jlowers dioecious, the sterile ones, (fig. 105) having a four- parted calyx, and eight sta- mens ; the fertile flowers, (fig. 106,) have an urn-shaped ca- lyx, enclosing the ovary which becomes a berry-like fruit. Leaves opposite, entire, de- ciduous; the flowers very small, yellow, borne in the axUs of the small branches. A very small family of plants, and there is but one species of this genus that is worthy of being cultivated for its fruit. Shepherdia argentea.— Bufialo Berry; Rabbit Berry ; Grosse de Buffle, of the French ; Hippoplm argeniea, of Pursh. — Leaves oblong, silvery-white on both sides ; 259 Fig. 105. Kg. 106. 360 BMAU. PEurr cttltueibt. branches nisty dull white, with many Bmall thorn- lik« branchlets ; fruit round, dull red, sprightly acid, agreea ble, borne in very compact clusters in the axils of the smal. branches, as shown in figure 107. Ripens its fruit in early autumn, or late in summer. Found on the banks of the upper Missouri, and othei large rivers of the Northwest. It is seldom seen in cul- tivation, but it is really deserving of a place in every gar- den. The plant is quite ornamental, in addition to its edi- ble finiit, which is produced abundantly. The plant is very hardy, and grows quite readily in almost any good soiL The Shepherdia, being dioecious, it is therefore necessary to plant one of each sex to obtain fruit; consequently, those who may have occasion to send to the nurseries for plants, should be carefiil to order at least one of each kind, although if several are to be planted in a group, one sta- minate plant will be sufficient to fertilize a half dozen or more pistillate plants. At the present time, the Shepherdia is not grown as a market fruit, but the time may come when we shaU see it m our markets, and it is more than probable that new and improved varieties will be produced by some of our enter- prising fruit growers. The thorn-like character of its email branchlets makes it a suitable plant for ornamental hedges, and very probably it would be equally serviceable as the Buck-thorn and other similar plants, for turning cattle. It is well worthy of trial, and up to the present time I am not aware that it has been subject to disease, or uttacked by any insect. PROPAGATION. Gather the berries when ripe, crush the pulp, and wash out the seeds ; then sow them, or preserve in sand, until the ensuing spring. The best method is, to sow the seeds in drills soon after they are gathered, covering an inch or two deep. Transplant when one year old into SHEPHBEDIA. ;261 ■• :• ■ #■.■ ■■ ..:■ .■ k r ■■.■,>/''-■ 5, Fig. 107.— WRUIT OB SHBPHEKDIA. 263 BMAii FBurr cultukist. nursery rows, placing the plants a foot apart in the row and the rows four feet apart. They will usually hloom the third year from seed, at which time every plant should be examined, and a label attached to each with the word Btaminate or pistillate, as the case may be, written upon each ; common wooden labels, such as used by nurserymen, freshly painted at the time, will remain legible for two or three years. If it is more convenient to have the plants separated than to keep each one labeled, then they may be taken up after the sexes are determined, and each kind placed in a row by itself. The Shephcrdias produce very few suckers, but when any appear, they may be taken off and planted separately Layers root very readily, and plants may be produced in this manner quite rapidly. It is quite probable that ripe wood cuttings will grow the same as the Currant, but I have never had occasion to try this mode of propagation, because they grow so readily from seed that I have practiced this method in preference to others. Besides, there is always a chance, when grow- ing any kind of fruit from seed, of producing something better than the original, consequently, the very uncertainty becomes fascinating to the true lover of horticulture, and the hope of the thing lightens the otherwise irksomenesa of the task. There is another species of Shepherdia found in the Northern States, the fruit of which is -#ery insipid. I copy the description from Gray's Manual of Botany : Sbepherdia Canadensis. — Canadian Shepherdia. — "Leaves elliptical or ovate, nearly naked and green above, silveiy-downy, and scurfy Avith rusty scales under- neath; fruit yellowish-red; rocky or gravelly banks ; Ver- mont to Wisconsin, and northward. A straggling shrub, three to six feet high ; the branchlets, young leaves, yel. lowish flowers etc., covered with the rusty scales. Fruit lompid." CHAPTER XII. PEEPAEATION FOR GATHERING FRUIT. To grow a crop of fruit is but the initial step towaidi the successful termination of the enterprise. If the fruit is to be sent to market, then crates, baskets, etc., are necessary for gathering and transporting, all of which should be provided in advance of the ripening of the crop. The number of baskets required per acre can- not be given, inasmuch as the product will not be the same in any two seasons, but it is always best to provide enough, for if the supply should fall short in the busy part of the season, it might cause considerable loss. "We will suppose that a grower expects to send a thous- and baskets per day to market, during the season, of any particular kind of small fruit, and if he sends them by railroad or steamboat, to a distance of twenty miles or more, he must not expect to have any baskets or crates tetumed in less time than six to ten days after the time of the first shipment, unless he lias better success than usual with fruit growers in this vicinity ; consequently he will have to provide six to ten thousand baskets to en- able Lim contiime gathering. Sometimes, owing to the negligence of the commission merchant, no baskets will be returned for two or threa 263 S64 BMAIX, FBUrr CULTDBIST. weeks, and a very large extra supply of baskets will b« necessary to prevent a corresponding loss. Ten thousand baskets, with a corresponding number of orates, should be provided, if a thousand baskets are to b« picked per day. To the inexperienced in these matters, this may seem to be an unnecessary outlay, but fruit growers in the East- ern States, at least, have learned that a little, or consider- able, extra capital invested in baskets will quite often insure them against great losses. Any one who has ever looked through the New Tork markets, soon after the close of the Strawberry season, must have noticed thousands of baskets and crates lying around loose, or being piled up in the streets, where the boys make bonfires of them at night, and thus the prop- erty of the fruit grower is often destroyed through the willfiil neglect of those to whom the fruit was consigned- Many remedies have been tried to prevent this waste, but none have been entirely successful, unless it be that of sending veiy cheap baskets and crates, which it is not expected will be returned. Many fruit growers are adopt- ing this give away system, and under some circumstances it is probably the best, but under others it is doubtful if it is the most profitable in the end. An attractive exterior is a good passport, even in the fruit line, and I know of many instances where fruit put up in handsome baskets, and enclosed in extra finished crates, has sold for almost double the price of that sent to market in an inferior style of crate and basket. Many instances might be given in which neat, clean packages and carefully selected fruit, have well paid the grower for all his extra trouble and expense in sending it to market. If a man desires to secure a good reputation for the products of his garden and farm, he will see to it that they leave his premises in the best possible order, and be sure to put his name on each crate or other pack* PEEPAEATIOH FO]i GATSEEINO SEUIT. 365 age. Competition has become so great ■within the past ten years, that the cultivators of berries are compelled to exercise more care than formerly iu selecting both fruit . and packages, as buyers are now more critical and par- ticular as they gain experience. The old trays, each hold- ing several quarts of berries, and from which the fruit was measured out to customers, are no longer seen in our markets, except for some hard kinds like the Huckle- berry, and even for these this dishing-out system is very objectionable, to say the least. Of late years large quan- tities of the small fruits come to our northern markets from the South. This is especially the case with Straw- berries, for increased facilities in the way of rapid transit by steamboats and railroads, with refrigerators on both, have now made the shipping of perishable fruits possible when it would not have been thought of a score of years ago. The trade in such articles will no doubt increase in years to come, and growers will need new styles of baskets and crates, or those better adapted to the purpose than any now in common use. But whatever kind of pack- age is used, the grower will ever need to exercise great care in gathering and assorting his fruit. If his pickers are not instructed in regard to picking the berries in the best condition to stand the journey, the good may be in- jured by the poor, for half a dozen over-ripe berries in a basket are very likely to damage the entire lot. Green berries should also be avoided, but a few of these can be better tolerated than those that have become soft and commenced to decay. The topping out of the baskets with a few of the choicest and largest berries is an almost universal practice, and while in the abstract it might be called dishonest, still it is such a universal custom that no one is deceived. It's merely putting the best side out to attract the buyer. Orates and baskets are in some cases returned free by the railroad and steamboat companies, unless the distance 13 366 SMALL PBUIT CULTUEIST. bo market is too great ; under sucL. circumstances it is best not to expect it, Tbut rather to ship the fniit in cheap baskets, unless it will bring enough more to pay for pack- ing in a better style. The tendency of late years is to let the basket or box go with the fruit to the purchaser, and it is really the better plan, because after a box or basket has been once used for berries, it is usually badly stained, and really unfit for further use. There are thousands of men in our cities who will stop at the market or fruit stands, and purchase a few quarts of berries on their way home in the eyening, if sold boxes and all, but if required to re- turn the packages, or compelled to furnish some con- venient vessel for carrying the fruit, they would pass by without purchasing. For these and other reasons which might be given, the grower will find it for his own inter est to use what are termed thf gift box or basket wheneve possible. The grape growers have, of late years, adopted the free box, and their sales, as a result, have greatly in- creased, and without lessen- ing their profits. The most common basket used for the New York mar- ket is what is called the Jer- sey Strawberry basket, figure 108 ; it requires from five to seven to hold a quart. Of late years this basket is less used than formerly, except for the smaller varieties of the Strawberry. They are usually made by the fruit growers themselves in winter, but sometimes they are made for sale, and the price varies from ten dollars to fifteen dollars per thousand. A half Kg. 108. — JBRSET BiSKET. PBEPAEATIOIT FOB GATHEEISTG FRTTIT. 367 dozen of tlie larger yarieties of Strawberries will fill one of these Jersey baskets. The Kaspberry baskets formerly used in New York State, were mainly of this style, but a little larger ; other kinds of baskets are now rapidly coming into use, and it is to Tie hoped that our small fruits will soon all be sold by measure, and not by the iasket, regardless of its size, whether it be the size of a thimble, or will hold a half pint or pint, as formerly. Baskets or boxes holding a pint or quart, full measure, are most in vogue at the present time, and new pattern? are constantly being brought forward, each claiming to bC an improTement upon its immediate predecessor. "With most of the small fruits ventilation is requisite to preservation for even a very short time, and this very essential point has not been lost sight of by the manufac- turers of most of the new boxes or baskets now before the public. When fruit is only to be transported a short distance, and wiU reach the consumer within twelve or fifteen hours aiter being gathered, ventilation, farther than that which it will receive through an open orate, is not very import- ant, or scarcely necessary. The idea of ventilation applied to baskets or boxes is a. good one, particularly for some kinds of fruit, but there is no necessity of carrying it to extremes, so that the ves- sels made for holding fruit are scarcely more than fragile wooden nets. The following are some of the most popular baskets now in use at the East : American Basket. This basket is made of two sizes, quarts and pints, and of the form shown in figure 109. They are very strong, of neat appearance, and one of the best baskets with i68 SMALL FRTTIT CULTUEIST. which I am acquainted. Their peculiar form admits ot their being very compactly nested for transportation, as 9hown in figure 110. The inanufacturers also fur- nish crates to those who desire them. A thirty-two quart crate is shown in figure 111, each one being furnished with lock ' ¥lg. 109.— AMERICAN BASKET. Kg. 110. — STACK OP BASKETS. attached w."th a small chain. The fruit grower keeps a key ^.0 ^ock the crate, and the one to whom the iriiii is ^irnVrmriW Fig. 111. — CBATE OP AMERICAN BASKETS. consigned, has a duplicate, with which to open it when received. Hallock Fruit Box. A square box, figure 112, made of thin, light wood, PREPARATION FOR GATHERING FRUIT. 3G9 with, holes bored in the sides for yentilation, as shown-. The bottom is set within the sides, and about three-fourths of an inch above the lower edge, so that when one box is set In the crate above the other, there will be a small space between the fruit of the lower one and the bottom of the one above. This also ad- mits of each box being filled a little more than even full, ^s- 113.-hailook fruit box. and still the fruit will not be crushed by the one above it. These boxes are used in large quantities at the West, also considerably in some portions of the East. Some fruit growers object to any box or basket with perpen- icular sides, because the fruit will settle more in carrying than when the sides slope, as in the American basket. Theie _are advantages in both forms, also disadvantages. k square box, with perpendicular sides, packs and remainf more firmly in its place than any other, but ventilation through the sides cannot be obtained, and the fruit will crush more readily than in boxes with sloping sides. Free Fruit Dox. Figure 113. As its name implies, this box is intended Fig. 113. PBUIT BOX. Eo be given away with the fruit. This will be quite con- venient for those who forget to take a basket with them 370 SMALL TEUIT CULTUEIST. in the morning when going to business^ and thereby have a very plausible excuse for not bringing home some fruit for tea. This box was invented for the purpose of relieving fruit growers of one of the most annoy- ing incidents of sending their fruit a long distance to market — the necessity of hav- ing their crates and boxes returned to them. It supplies a want which has always existed in the berry trade, and will be sold so cheap that it can be given away with the fruit. In appearance, it is remarkably neat, light, but substantial, while the fruit will always go to market in a perfectly clean box. Though given away, it will save the grower money, enable him to get a better price for his fruit, and put an end to the annual loss of boxes, besides saving him the neces- sity of keeping a vast quantity of the boxes and crates on hand to provide for the delay of returning them. The box is composed of two pieces of veneer. Figure 114 represents a piece which is folded up into four sides of the box. It is scored or cut at the dotted lines, so that it can be folded up into a shell as readily as a piece of paste- board. The tongue, at the left-hand end, buckles into the two slots at the right-hand end, just like closing a pocket book. A notch on the end of the tongue catches so effectually, after being buckled in, as to hold the shell firmly together. The bottom is shown in figure 115. The two tongues at the end are alsp Fig.114:. SIDE OP XSUVI BOX. PEEPAEATION' FOE GATHEEING FETJIT. 271 scored or cut at tlie dotted lines, and being readily turned up, are buckled into the t-w'o sets of slots sbown on the left-hand edge of figure 114. When thus buckled to- gether, the two pieces form a perfect box, as seen in figure 113, neither nails nor glue being required. Fig. 115.— BOTTOM OP BOX. and the whole constituting a strong and beautiful box. The bottom cannot fall out, as it is firmly held in its place by the spring of the wood. The prominent advantages secured by the use of this box are as follows : 1, The great desideratum of a box always nice and cleanly is, for the first time, secured. 2, The commission agent being relieved from the great annoyance of hunting up and returning crates and boxes, as well as escaping the loss of them, will sell the fruit for much less than the usual commission. * 3, The return freight of empty boxes is saved, and this, added to the saving in commission, will more than pay for the cost of crates and boxes. 4, Another saving is secured in sending to market, as one hundred of the Free boxes, quart measures, weigh only nine and one-third pounds, while one hundred of the old square quarts weigh fifty pounds. As fruit in crates goes to market by weight, the new box saves eighty per cent of the weight. Any one can readily satisfy himself by a calculation of what is thus saved in freight to market, commission, and return of empty crate, that he will really save money by using a box that he can give away. It will be found cheaper to use a box only once than to continue using it many times. 5, As these boxes are Dut together without nails or 272 SMALL SEUIT CULTXTKISX. glue, they can be sent to distant growers, in the shape ol flats, to be made up by children at odd times during tho winter. The flats are scored ready for folding up, and as *-bQ wood bends at the joint without breaking, a small girl will leam in five min- utes how to put them to- gether. Many hundred box- es thus packed as flats can be got into a small com- pa.~s, and at trifling cost of Irfight." SS^^i WllliPP'' !!i<|.aarc Cliip Kasket. Figure 116. Here we have an improvement on the Fig. 116.— SQTJA.KE cHff BASKET, commou Jcrscy baskot. The Blats are reversed, the wide one passing around the basket, and the small ones forming the uprights, thereby giving a comparatively smooth surface, allowing the baskets to be lifted out or put back into place in the crates, without catohing'upon those adjoining, and upsetting them, as is often the case with the common one. These baskets are made square, consequently packed very closely together, leaving no vacant spaces between them. An excellent basket for Kaspberries. _— nirnTT— Ootliic Vrce Fruit Uox This box is intended to be g e i away with the fruit. They ar I an octagon shape, as shown figure 117, made of veneer, x 1 can be sent in flats and put .,„ gether by the fruit grower, thus saving much expense in trans- portation. The material, all ready to be put together, costs ten dollars per thousand. Fig. 117.— OOTHIO FREE FBtJIT BOX. PBEPAEATIO:^' FOE GATHEEIJSTG PEUIT. 373 Cook's Basket. This is a very neat and pretty tasket, very strong anr" durable. Some of our fruit grow- ers object to it on account of the small strips of which it is made, be- cause, as the .berries settle, they are injured, by being cut by the sharp edges. It is, howeTer, an excellent basket, but probably on account of its cost is seldom, of late years. Been in our markets. ^^- us.— cook's basket. The Parug^oii Basket. Figure 119. Another neat, light box, of more recent introduction than the above, and much liked by the com- mission men. Three strips of thin -whitewood form the bottom and sides of the basket ; the bottom hoop is dis. Fig. 119.— PABAGOir BASKET. pensed with, as well as the extra bottom piece. There is ample provision for ventilation, and the shape of the top is round, thus enabling the fruit to show at its best. Belgian Strawberry Basket. This basket, figure 130, would probably not suit our American way of doing things, and is merely introduced to show " how they do it in Belgium." A correspondent of the "American Agriculturist," from which the ac- 374 SMALL FETTIT CULTUEIST. companying illustration is taken, writes : "In travelling through Belgium, in June, Strawberries are brought to the car windows at every station — luscious, great berries, some red, some white, often as large as a pullet's egg, and temptingly displayed in shallow baskets, made of split willow, in the form given in the engravin,g. The con- struction is simple, strong, and inexpensive. A single willow withe forms the handle and middle support of the Fig. 120.— BELGIAN STKAWBEEET BASKET. bottom ; a second withe, bent to a circle, forms the rim ; and four others, i. e., two on either side, between the middle piece and rim, complete the foundation into which thin strips are braided. The depth is only a quarter inch, diameter three inches. On the bottom are a few fresh grape leaves, on which are placed the berries, nearly all exposed to view." Onernsey Frnit Box. This is a round box, figure 121, made of thin veneer and reversible, as either end may be used as the cover, PKEPAEATIOI>r I?OE GATHEBINa PBUIT. 275 thcro being a thin band witliin -whicii holds both ends to- gether. This box would answer better for Currants and Gooseberries, than for iiaspberries and similar fruit, as it Fig. 131. — GUBUNSBT BOX. Fig. 133.— JOHNSTON'S CASH. is not ventilated ; hut ventilation might be given hy boring holes through one end. JoIinNton's Premium Fruit Case Is made up of four trays seventeen inches wide, twenty- three inches long, and three inches deep, holding a little over one half bushel ; side pieces, 1, in figure 123, half inch thick, three inches wide, twenty-three inches long ; ends, 2, three-eighths of an inch thick, three inches wide, and nineteen and a half inches long ; bottoms of three upper trays half inch thick ; standards, 5, two inches by three-quarters by fifteen ; cover cleats, 6, two inches by three-quarters by eighteen; tops, 4, twenty- four inches by six b}' three-eighths ; handles, 2, twenty- thro3 inches by two by five-eigh^is ; bot- toms of ease twenty-four inches by six by half ; the bottom tray is made of heavier stufE, sides, 4, in figure 123, five-eighths of an inch thick, end one and a half inch thick and sides ai'e let into the ends, as seen in I ; this tends to strengthen the standard, 2, which is firmly nailed to both side and end pieces. The trays are separated by slats three-eighths of an , 1. Fig. 133. 276 SMALL FRUIT CULTUBIST. incli by two inches, with, the eads projecting about half an inch, as seen in figure 122. The cover has also a narrow slat at each end. The cover is fastened by bend- ing a piece of hoop iron around the standard, and fasten- ing it to both sides of the cover cleats with screws, and a spring made of the same is attached to the inside edge of the standard, runs up through, and hooks over the band of hoop iron, the standard being sawed out to admit of working the spring, as seen in figure 122. Care should be taken to make the trays all square, and the covers all alike, so that each will fit in any case. In order to have the standards all alike, the handles should not be put on until after the covers are. In getting out a bill of material, have it sawed in planks at the saw mill, as thick as you want the pieces wide, and have it worked up by circular saw. I am not aware that this style of case is in use at the East, but it is a western invention, and used by growers in that section. Smith's Cirape Box. Though made with reference to packing grapes, this box will answer for Currants, Gooseberries, and those fruits that do not especially need ventilation. The sides of this box are made of veneer, cut partly through at the m icA , edges where it Fig. ISt— smith's grape box. , ° , , , bends over the end pieces, which are thick enough to allow the sides to be nailed to them. The cover fastens down by tacking PBEPABATIOK FOR GATHEEINa EETTIT. 277 the flap to the ends. They are made with the sides, top, and bottom, all in one piece, as shown in figure 134, or with these in two pieces, so that it is reversible and may be opened at either top or bottom. New styles of baskets are being brought out every sea- son, but they can scarcely be called improvements upon the old ones. GATHERING FRUIT. In sections where the small fruits are grown extensive- ly, women and children are chiefly employed to gather them, being paid so much per basket. The small Jersey Strawberries are generally pulled, as it is called, or separated from the calyx, or hull, when picked ; with the larger kinds it is left 'on. The price paid for picking varies from seventy-five cents to one dol- lar twenty-five cents per hundred for the small baskets, and three to five cents per quart for the larger Strawber- ries, Easpberries, and Blackberries. At these prices, an expert hand will make two to three dollars per day where the fruit is abundant. The fruit should always be gathered in dry weather, and none should be picked in the morning while the dew is on. The usual method practised in the larger plantations is something like the following : A tent or temporary shed is erected in or near the field in which the fruit is grown, and the superintendent re- mains in this and takes charge of the fruit as it is brought m, giving each picker a ticket, stating the number of baskets brought in. When one or two hundred baskets are gathered, then the small tickets are taken up and ; a large one given, on which is printed good for one, two, or more dollars, as the case may be. These tickets are redeemed at the end of the week, provided the holder retains them until that time; but with some a week is a very long 278 SMALL FEUIT CULTUBIST. time to keep a promise to pay, and they sell them. In some portions of 'New Jersey, and perhaps elsewhere, these biekets pass current at the stores in the vicinity, and the merchants take them in exchange for goods, and when the season is oyer, present them to the proper persons for redemption. At the time of gathering, each picker is furnished with a stand (figure 125), holding ten to twenty-five baskets. When all are filled, they are carried to the tent and put into the crates, ready for sending to market. The small Fig. 125.-BASKET STAIID. j^^^^^ ^^^gj^^^^ ^^^ put into crates holding from one hundred and fifty to two hundred each, but when pint and quart baskets are used, from thirty to sixty go in a crate. The pickers have to conform to certain rules promul- gated by the nabob of the tent, for there must be disci- pline and system observed in fruit gathering, as in everv other business, to produce the best result. No picker must be allowed to encroach upon his neighbor, and when a row or bed is selected at the start, it must be retained until aU the fruit for that time is gathered. The next bed or row must be taken by lot — and no dodging because it happens to be a poor one. The time of the vintage is one of rejoicing in the vine countries of Europe, and equally so is the time of gather- ing the small fruits in America. G-ood feelings prevail on all sides, and particularly if the crop is abundant, for both employer and the employed are abundantly rewarded for their labor. APPENDIX. ADDITIONAL VARITIES. Tho A'arieties of the different species and families a}. berries described and noticed in the following pages, havt mostly been introduced since the revision of this work in 1881, and while it is scarceiy j robable that they are all superior, or even equal in value, to the best of the older and better known varieties, still, there are no doubt ii few among them which will prove to be very acceptable acquisitions of their kind. I have not had an opportunity of testing all of these new varieties ; in fact, some of them have not as yet been fruited outside of the gardens of their originators ; consequently in referring to their merits, I am compelled, in some instances, to accept what others say of them, instead of giving the results of my own personal investigations and observations. STRAWBERRIES. AtlantiCi — Berry medium, conical, of a rich, glossy, crimson color ; flesh v^ry firm. A poor grower, only moderately productive, and ripening late in the season. liclmont. — ^A new and very promising variety with oblong berries, of a dark crimson color, very firm and high flavor. Plants very productive and of vigorous growth. Bubach, IVo. 5. (Pistillate.) — A remarkable, vigorous growing variety with imperfect or pistillate flowers. Fruit large and handsome, but too soft for market ; not worta cultivating, as we ha^o. many far better varieties with perfect flowers. (379) 280 SMALL FSUIT CULTTTKIST. Cohanzickf — A chance seedling found in a flower bed in Bridgeton, N.J. It is described by its introducer as a dark crimson berry, very glossy, medium to large, with firm flesh ; very produotiTe. Cornelia, {Pistillate.) — A very large late variety, usually unproductive, probably ia consequence of im- pjrfect fertilization of the flowers, these appearing after the more vigorous of the pollen-bearing varieties have gone out of bloom. Connecticut Queen. — A new variety, highly praised by some growers, and co Vdemned by others. It is said to be of excellent quality, ripening late, but the berries are very unattractive in appearance. Crimson Cluster. {Pistillate.) — One of Mr. E. W. Durand's many seedlings, and only disseminated last season, 1886. It is described by its originator as being "wonderfully productive," and the fruit of the richest crimson color, in immense clusters, hence its name. Fruit of excellent quality, very large, commencing to ripeji, early and continuing very late. Daisy. — This is said to succeed well in the West, bui the foliage burns badly in the East. Scarcely worth cultivating. Daniel Boon. {Pistillate.) — Large, elongated-conical with slight neck, sometimes broadly-conical ; bright red, firm and good quality. Succeeds well in some soils, and the plants are prolific, but in others the leaves burn badly, and it is worthless. Dollar. — Large, roundish-conical, of a bright, glossy, light crimson color. Elesh firm, and quality excellent. Plants are not very productive, but usually bear a mode- rate second crop late in summer. The foliage is said to burn in some localities and soils, but in my grounds it has not suffered during hot, dry weather to any greatel extent than any of the old, standard sorts. APPENDIX. 3S1 Early Canada.— Said to resemble the " Old Iron Clad," but in no respects superior. Plants only mode- rately productive. Emily's White. — Recommended only as a novelty. The first berries to ripen are light red, but later they are almost pure white. I have not seen this variety, but from description it w^ould seem to be very similar to Lennig's White, when grown in exposed positions, and when the fruit is not shaded by the leaves. Gaudy's Prize,— A new variety, of which little is known. It is supposed to be a cross between the Jersey Queen and Glendale. It is claimed by the originator to be the latest in ripening, and the hardest fleshed variety known. Berries large, nearly globular, bright crimson, with a rich and sprightly flavor. Plants very stocky in growth, and said to be productive. Garretson. (Pistillate.) — This is not a new variety, but only recently disseminated by its originator, the well known seedsman of Flushing, N". Y., after whom it is named. Fruit large globular, bright crimson, very firm, and of good flavor. Recommended as an excellent market berry, owing to its uniform size and firm flesh. Henderson. — Very large, early, and immensely pro- ductive ; but its great merit is in its exquisite flavor. It is also claimed by its disseminator to be adapted to all, or at least to a great variety of soils. It has not as yet been very widely distributed, or extensively cultivated, and it may not prove as good or valuable as represented. Hoffman's $eedlin§r. — A chance seedling, found in a garden at Charleston, S. C, and it promises to be a valu- able variety for the South. The introducer says that it is extra early, of large size, and so firm that it may be readily and safely shipped to Northern markets. James Vicli. — Medium, obtuse-conical, bright scarlet ; flesh pink, firm, but only second rate in quality. A 283 SMALL FRUIT CULTtTBIST. vigorous and productive Tariety, very much like Oapt Jack, described on page 93. Jersey QueeOi {Pistillate. ) — Very large, regular oval, Bometimes a little flattened at the point. Very handsome rich scarlet, and of high flavor. One of Mr. Durand's seedlings. It must be grown in hills, or single rows, and given extra high cultivation, to insure success. Jewell. ( Pistillate. ) — A new and highly extolled variety from Connecticut, and supposed to be a seedling of the Jersey Queen. The plants are said to be very robust and prolific, provided, of course, that some good perfect flowering variety is grown near-by for supplying its flowers with pollen. It is described as very large, obtuse- conical ; color bright red, changing to crimson when fully ripe. Flesh solid and firm. It is certainly a very promis- ing variety. Jumbo. — This is but another name for the Cumberland Triumph, described on page 94. Legal Tender. {Pistillate.) — Medium size, roundish- conical, quite uniform in shape, bright crimson, good quality, and the plants moderately productive. It is, however, of no special value, there being many better varieties in cultivation. Lida. {Pistillate.) — Large, and of a uniform broad- conical or heart-shape ; bright red ; flesh flrm and of excellent quality ; plants hardy and prolific ; season medium. Longfellow. — Medium to large, oblong, point rather broad or blunt ; color, dark mohagany, but very glossy ; flesh, firm, sweet and excellent. Not valuable for market, but a good variety for amateurs, who prefer quality to fine appearance. Mammoth. — A new variety raised in New Jersey, and it is claimed to be the largest known. It is also reported APPENDIX. 283 that single iDerries have been exhibited, weighing one and a quarter ounces each. Manchester f {Pistillate.) — This Tariety has been very widely distributed, and somewhat extensively cul- tivabed for market, as well as for home use by amateurs. The plant is very healthy, vigorous and productive, and succeeds on a great variety of soils. Fruit large, uniform in size ; light scarlet ; flesh firm with a sprightly sub-acid flavor. The Sharpless is re- commended as an excellent staminate for planting with the Manchester for supplying pollen to its flowers. nianchester Junior. — A seedling of the Manchester, and claimed to be a larger variety, than its parent. Not yet disseminated. May King. — Described as very similar to the Crescent, but with perfect flowers, bearing a heavy crop with ordi- nary field culture. Monmoutli. — ^Another variety, said to be an improve- ment on the Crescent, being much larger and of firmer flesh, but with the same bright and attractive colors. The disseminator claims that this variety. possesses "un- usual merit." Mrs. Garfield. — A seedling of the Crescent, raised in Ohio. Medium to large, irregular-conical, with short neck ; bright glossy scarlet, and of a very sprightly rich flavor. Plants hardy and very productive. Old Iron Clad. (PAeZ^s.)— Medium to large, obtuse- conical, bright crimson, glossy ; flesh firm, rather acid, but rich. Plants hardy and exceedingly productive. An excellent early market variety, somewhat resembling the Wilson's Albany. Parry.— A seedling of the Jersey Queen, raised in 1880, but only recently disseminated. It has been awarded several premiums at local fairs, and is highly recommended 284 SMALL FEUIT CULTURIST. by those who have had an opportunity of seeing and testing it. It is described by the originator as "uniformly large, obtuse-conical, bright glossy scarlpt : flesh firm, and of the best quality. Plant vigorous." Sunapce, — A chance seedling found at Vineland, N. J., described as of uniform good size, bright crimson color ; flesh very firm, and exceedingly sweet for a strawberry. Wonderful. {Pistillate). — A new variety, or an old one with a new name, the plants resemble the Champion (see page 107), a variety also known as Windsor Chief (as all have imperfect flowers, they are probably one and the same variety). RASPBERRY. Of the Rubus Occidentalis, or. Black-cap group, neiv varieties are introduced almost every season, but it is very doubtful, if any of the new are better than the best of the old, in common cultivation a quarter of a century ago. Among the more recent varieties of this group I give the following in addition to those named in proceed- ing pages : Canada. — Very similar to the Mammoth Cluster, and after cultivating it a few seasons, I discarded it, for it possessed no merits or qualities not found in several of the old and standard sorts. Centennial. — Very large, jet black, with very little or slight bloom on the berries, very sweet and high flavored. Plants vigorous and exceedingly productive. Owing to the bright color and absence of bloom, this is one of the best market varieties, as the fruit does not have a stale appearance in a few hours after gathering, as is usual with those with heavy bloom. Chapman. — A new variety from Ohio, resembling the Centennial ia the absence of bloom on the fruit, but APPENAIX. 28S ripening about one week earlier. Highly recommended by the introducer for market. Earharti (Uverbearing.) — From the few specimens of fruit and plants, that I have seen of this variety I think it dcJfes not differ very greatly from the old Ohio Ever- bearing, described on page 153. It is said to have been found in Illinois about sixteen years ago. Berries large, jet black, and excellent in quality. The old canes bear a crop at the usual season, and the tips of the young shoots are loaded with berries in autumn. If the Earhart proves to be as hardy and prolific as the Ohio Everbear- ing it will be well worth cultivating by persons who are so fond of black raspberries, as to want them in season and out of season. Hilboriii — A new variety from Ohio, of which little is fcnown, except what is said of it by the introducer, who claims that it is one of the best as yeb introduced. Hopkin's. — Very much like the Mammoth Cluster, but as early as the Doolittle, and not quite so prolific as the Souhegan. Nemaha. — One of our most extensive cultivators of the Raspberry says that this new variety is "almost /dentical with the Gregg," but he thinks the plants are more hardy. This may be an advantage in extreme northern localities, but scarcely worth attention else- where. Ohio, or Alden. — A variety closely resembling, if not identical with the Seneca, described on page 152. It has long been a favorite with cultivators in Central JSTew York. Souhegan or Tyler.— Fruit very large, black, with light bloom, good flavor, one of the very earliest of the very large varieties. Plant vigorous, hardy, and exceed- ingly productive. 386 SMALL FKUII CULTUEIST. PUBPLE CANE GROUP. Caroline. — A very handsome yariety, apparently a hybrid between the purple cane and some yellow variety of the Rubus Occidentalis. Fruit pale salmon or buff color, medium size, sweet and good, but too soft for transporting to market, and in this respect very much like the old Purple Cane. Reliance. — Seedling of the Philadelphia, and by some persons considered an improvement upon its parent. The color is too dull and dark for market, and there are many other varieties preferable for home use. Sliaffer's Colossal. — Probably the largest Kaspberry in cultivation of American origin, and only excelled in size by some of the Japanese species. Berries of a dull purple color, of fair quality. Plants vigorous and productive. Recommended only for preserving, and for this purpose it has no superior. JSTATIVE EED ASTD TELLOW VARIETIES. Golden Queen. — This is without doubt a "sport" or bud variation of the Cuthbert, and not a seedling. My reason for thinking so, is, that I have obtained a similar or the same variety as the Golden Queen, from a sprout on an old plant of the Outhbert. Fruit very large, con- ical, pale amber or yellow, and in quality not excelled by any native or foreign variety. Canes very strong and vigorous ; foliage pale green or yellowish green, as usual in the light colored varieties. Hardy and exceedingly productive. It is the best hardy yellow variety of Rasp- berry in cultivation. Hansen. — Very large, nearly round; light bright crimson ; firm, but not hard ; Juicy and good, one of the earliest of the very large varieties, and a splendid berry for market or home use. The canes are very hardy, but APPENDIX. 38? in my grounds the growth is slender, and not half as gtrong as that of either the Cuthbert or Turner. This variety may succeed better in heavy soils than in a light one. Marlboro. — Very large, bright dark scarlet, a hand- some variety ripening about mid-season, but of second- rate quality. Plants extremely vigorous and productive. A valuable variety for market, as the fruit is firm enough to bear transportation, and they hold their color well. Itaiicocas. — A new variety, said to be very early, the entire crop ripening within a few days. It has not as yet been very widely distributed, nor fully tested, and the most that can be said in its praise is that it promises well. BLACKBERRIES. Early Cluster. — Small oblong, grains medium, sweet and good, but neither early nor superior to many wild varieties to be found almost anywhere in the fields and woods. Early Harvest. — Very early, medium oval, grains small, quality excellent, plants hardy, and in some locali- ties and soils said to be wonderfully prolific. But it has proved to be such a poor grower in my grounds that I have discarded it. Erie. — A chance seedling found near Lake Erie in Ohio. The introducer claims that the berries are of the largest size, exceeding the Wilson, Kittatinny or Lawton, of excellent quality, even superior to the Kittiitinny, ripening before either the Wilson, Jr., or Wilson's Early. Liicretia Dewberry.— The trailing Blackberries are rarely cultivated, owing to their prostrate canes and the difficulty of working among them for the purpose of sub- duing the weeds. Excellent varieties may usually be 288 SMALL FETTIT CULTUEIST. found in almost every old and neglected field and liedge> row, but there are very few persons, who want to intro- duce them into their gardens. Recently it has been sug- gested that these trailing varieties might be valuable for cultivating in very cold northern regions, where the up- right growing varieties are killed down in winter, and there may be something in the idea, and it is worth try- ing. The Luoretia Dewberry is one of the wild varieties of this type. Berries very large and of excellent qual- ity, and the plants hardy and exceedingly productive. Wilson, Jr. — A seedling of the Wilson's Early, and the originator claims that it is far superior to its parent, at least in size and productiveness. The old Wilson's Early, as it is now called, was by far the largest Black- berry known at the time of its introduction, but in qual- ity it is inferior to many of the old as well as newer varieties, and the plants are far too tender for cultivation in our more Northern States, and even here in JTorthern New Jersey and in a light, warm soil, the plants winter- kill about five years oat of six, and for this reason it is worthless ; but further South, or in the vicinity of Phila- delphia, where it originated, it is a valuable and profit- able variety. Wilson Jr. is said to be more hardy than its parent, consequently more productive, because the fruit-buds are not injured by cold. 1 here are several others, supposed to be new varieties of the Blackberry, announced in dealers' catalogues, of which I have not been able to obtain any trustworthy in- formation. Among these I may mention Bonanza, Early King, Nevada, Stone's Hardy, and Wallace. CUKRAN-TS. Fay's Prolific— This is unquestionably a valuable acquisition, and one of the best, if not the best, red variety in cultivation. Fruit large, deep red, bunches very long, APPENDIX. 289 moderately compact, and in quality as good as the old Red Dutch, and superior to the Cherry Currant. Plants very vigorous, hardy, and productive. GOOSEBEBEIBS. No new varieties of the Gooseberry belonging to our native species have been introduced since the revision of this work in 1881. But a European variety, called the " Industry," has recently been extensively advertised as very superior, and succeeding admirably in the Northern States. It is a, very large, red berry of excellent quality. Plant Tery hardy and productive. i?90 SMALL FRUIT CtJLTUBISl, TABLE OF DISTANCEa fb 40 -..10 12445 — ..10 84848 - .. 10 886 -..2 89G0 88.. 8 8 4134 10.. 1 48560 GENERAL INDEX. iBcidinm Borberidie 29 Argiiiiia obtusatuin S3 Barbebbt 20 '; Ciilnueor 25 History of 21 " Diseasusof 29 " Mildow 29 " Propagation 21 " American , 20 " Blacli-fruitcd 28 " C'liinese 98 " Common 80-23 " Cretan 28 " Fremont's 20 " Iberian 28 " Magellan Sweet 20 " Nepaul 20 " Parple-fruited 28 " Purple-leaved. 27 " Siberian 28 " Sweet-fruited 27 " Tliree-leaved 21 " Violet-fruited 28 " White-fruited 27 " Tellow-fruitcd 28 Basket, American 268 " Belgian 274 " Cook's 273 " Jersey 266 " Paragon 273 " Square Chip 272 Bnsket Stand 278 Berberis 20 " aristata 20 " Asiatica, 20 " biixifolta 20 " Canadensis 20 Clulra 20 " Cretica ; 28 " Fremontii 20 Berberis Iberica . ... «6 " rotundifolia 20 " Sibirica .... 28 " Sinensis 28 tiifoliala 21 " vulgaris ...20-25 " " alba 27 " " asperma .... 27 " " dulcis . .. 27 *' *' glauca 27 " lougifolia 27 " " lutea . 28 " " mitis 28 28 28 " " violacea. .. .. .. . 28 176 " Agawam..., . ...187 A' Won . ,..183 " Aiiueut Briton .. ..187 " Barnard 187 " Capo May 183 Claret .... 189 " Col. Wilder .. ..189 " Common High 178 " Crysl.il White 1S9 " Cumberland 182 " Cutleavcd ISO " , Dr. Warder 189 " Dodge's Thornless . . . .... 187 *' Dorchester 183 " Early Burnton ....187 '• European 178 *' Felton 183 " Holcomb 183 " Hoosac Thornless... 187 " Kittatinny . . 183 '* Knox . ... 187 *' Lawton, ;]86 " Low ...:.m Slynonyms are put in Ilalict. (891) 393 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. Blackberry, Low Bush 177 " Missunri Mammoth 187 •' Needliam's White 1S8 " Newinaira Tlioraless 1S6 " New Eochelle 1S6 " Paraloy-Leaved 181 " Propagation of 179 " Piiiiiing Shears 180 " Pruning Hook 180 " Buuniui; Swamp 177 Sable Qneen 187 " Saud 177 " Seacor'' a Mammoth 186 " Snyder 188 " Taylor's Prolific 188 " 'Wachusett Thoriilees 188 " Western Triumph 1S8 " Wilson's Early 189 Blueberry, Canada 255 " Dwarf.. 255 " Swamp 255 Blue Daugloberry 254 Buffalo Berry 259 Clierry, Cornelian 233 Cherry, Dwarf 191 CloudBorry 120 Cornel 233 Cornelian Cherry 233 Corims mascula 233 Cranbebby 239 " Applyitjj water to 247 " Bush 240 " Common 239 " Gathering 242 " History of 240 " Insects 249 " Plantinsr 245 " Preparation of Soilfor.... 242 " Profits of Culture 252 ** Propagation 241 " Upland Cufture 250 " VarieticBof 248 Crows and Fruit Cnltnre 85 Cdbbaht 194 " ForeiLMi Varieties 210 " History of 195 " Insects and Diseases 204 " Nati ve Varieties 207 " Propagation 196 " Prunins and training 201 " Soil and Cultivation 200 " Attraotor 211 Currant, American Black -iu, Blacli English 217 " Black Grape 218 Black Naples 218 " Brown-fruited 219 " Buist's Long-Bunched Bed.212 " Cassis Boyal of Naples. 218 " Champa^'ne 212 " Cherry 212 " Clarke's Sweet. £i7 " Dana's Wliite 214 " Deseret 207 " Fertile (T Angers cf Leroy..%Vl Fertile de Palluan 214 " Fetid 194 " Gloire de Sablons 214 " Golden 208 " Gdiath 216 " Gondouin Bed 214 " Gondouin White 21* " Green-fruited 219 '* GroB Bouge d' Angers 214 " Holland Long Grape 214 OasOe 216 Jaune 214 Imperial Bouge 215 Imperial Yellow 214 Irish Grape 212 Knights Eaaiy Bed 215 Knight's Large Bed 215 Knight's Sweet Bed 215 La Cavcase 212 LaFertHe 215 La Hative 215 La Hative de Berlin 215 Large Bed Angers 212-214 Large Bed Dutch 215 Lee's Prolific 219 Long Sunc/ied Bed 215 Maaocarpa 212 May's Victoria 215 Missouri 195 Missouri Black 208 Missouri Sweet-fruited 209 Morgan's Bed 215 Napoleon Bed 212 New Bed Dutch 21 5 New White Dutch 217 Ogden's Black Grape 218 Phea anfs Eye 212 Prince All)ert 215 Profits of Culture 219 GENERAL INDEX. 293 Currant, R<^ Castle 216 Red 195 RedDutch 215 Red Flowering 195 Red Grape 216 Jled Grape 216 Bed Imperial 212 Bed Provence 216 Reeves' White 217 Bauge a Qrosse Fruit 215 BuBsian Green 219 Striped-ft-Hited 210 • Tmnaparent White 217 Vei'sailles 213 Victoria 216 White Antwerp 217 WhUe Clinton 217 White Crystal 217 White Dutch 217 White Grape 217 White Holland 217 White Imperial. 217 White Leghorn 217 White Pearl 217 White Provence 217 White Transparent. 217 WUmofsBed Grape 216 WildBlack 194 Dangleherry, Bine. 254 Dewberry 177 DwarfCheiry 191 Forcing Houses 74 Fragaria 31 collina 32 " elatior 32 " graiidiflora 32 ludica 33 " numophylla IW " vesca 31 " Virginiana , 32 Fruit Box, Free 269 Gothic,Free 272 " Guernsey 275 " Hallock'a 268 Smith's 4 276 Fruit Case, Johnson's Premium. . . 273 Gathering Fruit 277 Gaylnssacia frondosa 254 " resinosa 253 GOOSEBEEBT 232 " Anuerican Bed 230 " CluBtcr Seedling 230 Gooseberry^Downlng 250 Dutch Joe 230 Foreign Species 223 Foreign Varieties 231 History 224 Houghton's Seedling.. 230 Insects Injurious to.... 228 Mountain Seedling.... 230 Native Species 222 Native Varieties 230 PaleBed 2;i0 Prize English Varietios232 Fronts oi' Culture 229 Propagation of 224 Pruning and Training..22S Boberts' Sweet >rafen..23Q St. Clair 230 Small Leaved .223 Smooth 222 Soil and Culture 226 Swamp 223 Grosse de Buffle 259 Hippophce argentea 239 HUCKLEBEIiHT 234 Black 255 " Dwarf 235 " High-bush 235 Insects. " Abrazis Grossulariata 204 " " ribcaria / 204 " Aphis ribis 229 " Blacliberry Bush Borer... 149 ^* Cccidomya GrosBularise 229 " Currant Borer, American.. 207 " " Borer, European.. 206 " Worm 204 " Eufitchia ribearia 204 Gooseberry Barlc-louee 228 " " .Midge 229 " Lecanium Cynosbati 228 " May Beetle 81 Mealy Flata 228 " Pteciloptera prniuosa 223 " Plant-Lonse 88 " Pristiphora grossularlata..206 " Trochiliumcandatnm 207 " " tipullforme....206 " WhiteGrub 84 Introduction 6 Microsphseria Berberidis 80 Number of Plants to the Acre 279 Preparation for Qathering Fruit.... 263 294 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. Propagation, by Cattings 22 Green-wood Cuttings. 24 Eooi Cuttings 184 Pi'unus puniila 192 Eabl)it Berry .. 259 Kaspbebiit 119 American Blacl: ISO Black 122 Black Cap, Propagation of i28 Brand 146 Ku8t 146 Disease and lusects.. . . 146 Duration ot Plants 145 Dwarf 121 European 122 Garden Culture of ...... 143 History of... 1^2 Planting and Culture . . .137 Propagation of 123 Pruning of 140 Purple Flowering 119 Selection of Plants 137 Training of 141 Varieties for Family Use 174 Varieties for Market. . ..175 White Flowering 120 Wild Bed 120 Winter Protection of... .142 Allen's Antwerp 159 Allen's Eed Prolific 159 Amazon 164 American Improved 150 American Red Cane 155 American White Cap . ..150 Antwerp 163 Antwerp Eed 163 Antwerp Yellow 168 Barnet 164 BameCs Antwerp 164 Beehive 173 Belle de Fontenay 164 Belle de Palluaa 165 Brandywine 162 Brentford Cane 194 BrincMe's Orange 171 Bromley Hill 173 Burley't Antwerp 168 Burlington 165 Caroline 151 Catawissa 158 Chili Monthly 173 Raspberry, Clarke 165 Col. Wilder J66 " Cope 166 " Cornish 173 "■ ComwdtraPrdlilie 164 " CcymwaWs Seedling 164 " Cretan Eed 166 " Gushing 166 " Cutbush'a Prince of Wales..-. 166 ■' Cuthbert 162 " Cox'sHoney 173 " Davison's Thornless 151 " Dodiitle's Black Cap 160 " Downing 166 " Double Bearing 166 " Double Bearing Tellow . . 163 " Duhring 187 BarlyProliflc 173 " Elizabeth 169 " Ellisdale 155 " Emily , 167 " English Antwerp 168 " Fastolff 167 " Fillbasket 167 " Foreign Varieties 168 " Franconia 167 " French 168 Fulton 168 " Ganarqua 1S5 " Gardiner 155 *' General Patterson 168 " GoldenCap 160 " Gregg 151 " Herstine 169 " Eerstine's Seedlings. ...168 " Hornet... 170 " HowlancCa Antwerp 163 " Hudson BfeerAntii)erp..\S3 " Huntsman's Giant 170 " Imperial 170 ' ' Improved Blade Cap 150 " Jillard's Seedling »173 " Joslyn's Impmoed 150 " Joiiet 178 " Keystone 173 KirUand 162 " Knevet's Giant 170 " Knmetfs Antwerp 163 " Lai'ge-finited Monthly.. .170 " Large Miami IBl ' " Large Bed., 164 GENERAL INDEX. 295 Itai»pben7, Longwortli 173 " Lord Exmmtth 164 " McCormick 151 " Magnnm Bomiin 170 " Mammoth Cluster 151 " Marvel of the Four Sea- sons ITl UerreilleQuatre Saieonsltl Miami Black Cap 162 Moctclair 171 Monthly Black Cap 152 Mote's Seedling ,174 Mrs. lugevsoU 173 Mrs. Wilder 174 Naomi 167 New Everbearing 174 New Bed Antwerp 163 Norfhmriberland MUbas- ket 167 Nottingliam Scarlet. . . . 174 Ohio Everbearing 153 Old Bed Antwerp M3 Orange 163 Philadelpbia 156 Pilate 171 Princess Alice 174 Purple Cane 155 Purple Cane Family ...153 Queen of the Market 162 Eeliance 157 Richardson 174 Xioeri New Monthly — 170 Kivers' Seedlings 171 Bnby 169 EuBsell'sEed 172 St. Louis 174 Saunders 169 Semper Fidelis 172 Seneca 152 Souchettl 172 Spring Grove 174 Summit Yellow Cap 152 Superb.... 174 Superb d'Angleterre... 174 Surpasse Merveille 174 Surprise 152 Susqneco 162 Taylor's Paragon 174 Tliondeas Black Cap. . . 151 T^me Bed Antwerp — 163 Yke-President lVench...l(& Walker "2 Easpberry, Wliite Antwerp 163 " While Transparent 172 WildEod 121 " Wilmington 162 " Wilmot's Early Eed 174 " Woodward 174 " Woodward's Bed Globe.174 " Yellow Cap 15G " Yellow Chili 173 Eibes 194 " aureum 195 " cnneirolium 223 " Cyiiosbati 22a " divaricatum 223 " floridum 194 " gracile 223 " Grossularia 223 " hirtellum 222 " lacustre 223 " microphyllum 223 " nigrum 195 " oxycanthoides 223 " prostratum 194 " rotuiidifolium 283 " rubrum 195 " sangninenm 195 " Vvacrispa 223 Eoot Cuttings 123 Eubus 119 " Canadensis 177 " Chamsemorus 120 " cuneirolius 177 " fruticosus 178 " hispidus 177 " Idffius 122 " Japonicus 122 " laciniatus 181 " leucodermis 121 " Nutkanus 120 " occidentalis 122 *' odoratus 119 " pedatus 120 " spectabllls 120 " strigoaus 121 " triflorus 121 " trivialis 177 " villosus 176 Shepherdia SB9 " argentea 259 " Canadensis 259 Slugs 88 396 SMALL EEtriT CtTLTUETST. Stbawbebbt 31 " Brand 83 " Cultnre, Annual 63 " " Biennial 62 " " Garden 64 " " Kowsand Hilla 63 " Diseases and Insects... 83 " Forcing , 70 " Historyof 32 " Houses for 74 " Hybridizing and Cross- ing 76 " Manures for 54 " PlantiugandCultivation 60 " PotPlants 52 " Preparaticnof Plants.. 57 " Propagation of 48 " " by Division of Hoots 53 " " by Runners 52 " " bySeeds 50 Sexuality of 39 " Soil and Situation 63 " Structure of Plants. ... 46 " Tbinning tlie Fruit 76 " Tiles 67 " Time to Plant 56 " Varieties for Forcing. . 75 Vase 67 " Winter Protection 80 List of Varieties. Admiral Dundas 110 Agriculturist 90 '/Llbion White 90 Alpine 31 Alpine Blanc ; 116 Alpine Bed 116 Alpine Eed Monthly. 116 Alpine Bouge 116 Alpine "White , 116 Alpine White Monthly 116 Alpine Varieties 116 Ambrosia 110 American Alpine 116 Austin 90 Autumnal Oalande 116 Baltimore Scarlet 92 Baron Bemau de Linnick 110 Bartlelt 91 Belle 80 Belle Artesienne Ill Belle Bordelaise /17 Belle de Vibert ill Beraneon 118 Bicolor Ill Bidwell 81 Bijou Ill Black Defiance 81 Black Hantbois -....118 Bont6 de St. Julien 110 Boston Piue 91 Bouled'Or., ....110 B