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into two classes according to their methods of propagation. 1st, Upright varieties, 

 increasing by suckers from the roots. This includes mainly our red and yellow 

 sorts. 2nd. Drooping canes, rooting from the tips, commonly called " tip varieties." 

 These with one or two exceptions are all black or purple in colour. Of the tirst class 

 considering the red ones only; 21 varieties fruited the past season. 



The following ai-e the most reliable, for market purposes, of the older kinds in 

 order of ripening : Hansel, Turner, Marlboro, Cuthbert. For home use, with winter 

 protection and good culture, the following is a desirable list: Turner, Herstine, 

 Clark, Cuthbert. 



Among the yellow caps, BrinckWs Orange is unsurpassed in quality, but is not 

 a profitable market berry and needs protection, except in the milder portions of the 

 country. 



Golden Queen. A beautiful yellow berry, is earlier than Cuthbert; like it a strong 

 grower, equal to it in quality and a good bearer. This should be a profitable market 

 berry, and is also well adapted for home use. 



Among the later introductions, the following seem specially worthy of mention : — 



Herstine. Large, bright red, quality good, rather soft, productive, season late, 

 needs winter protection. 



Heebner. Large, dark red, high flavoured ; has the same fault as the last, lacking 

 firmness, a good bearer, fairly vigorous, might be valuable for near market. 



Thompson's Early Prolific. — Eipened with Hansel last season. The fruit is larger 

 and finer and gives promise of a longer picking season. Plant fairly vigorous and 

 productive. 



Royal Church. — This has not been sufficiently tested here to speak positively, 

 but from past behaviour it would seem to be a promising medium early variety, 

 of good size and quality, but not firm enough for distant shipment. 



CLASS II — TIP VARIETIES. 



Few additions have been made to the general list of black caps, most of which are 

 under cultivation for a number of years. From the twenty varieties which fruited 

 last year the following are noted as the most reliable : 



Souhegan, Tyler and Dooliitle are practically identical, and are the earliest to 

 ripen. One of these should be included in each planter's list, to connect the straw- 

 berry and raspberry season. 



Hilborn. — A medium early sort, of good quality and a heavy bearer. This is 

 an excellent berry for near market, but is specially valuable for amateur growers ; 

 it is also valued for canning. 



' Shaffer. — Sometimes known as Shaffer's Colossal. Is a fine strong grower, an 

 immense bearer of large purple berries, which are rich and juicy, putting it at the 

 head of the list as a canning berry. Its dull colour and lack of firmness prevent it 

 taking a high place as a market variety, but where well known it is highly appre- 

 ciated. 



Gregg. — Completes the season. It is also vigorous, productive, and ships well. 

 It does not, however, rank as high in quality as Hilborn, but is indispensable in the 

 list of the market gardener. 



Among those not fully tested here may be mentioned Palmer. If it succeeds, 

 according to present indications, it will supersede Tyler or Sonhegan, which is its 

 season of ripening. 



Muskingum. — Is of the Shaffer type, but does not seem to be any improvement ; 

 perhaps a trifle firmer. With present experience positive statements cannot be 

 made. 



Earhart. — Will be of value in the milder portions of Ontario where the season 

 will admit of a second crop, which, under favourable conditions, is usually borne 

 befo]-e growth is checked by frost. 



Attention is called to the report (inserted at the close of mine) of a visiting 

 committee on a collection of seedling raspberries, black and red — as the notes have 

 been made by experienced growers of small fruit. 



Qc—Q 



