140 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



2. The fruit ripens every year at Ottawa, and the berry holds well to the bunch. 



3. Bunch large, well shouldered ; berries, medium size, black, oval ; quality, first 

 class, combining a sprightly acid with a rich vinous flavour. After eating fruit of 

 Niagara or of the Rogers varieties, a bunch of the Peabody is positively refreshing. Of 

 greatest value in the garden of the amateur. 



Secretary — Produced by J. H. Ricketts, Newburg, N". Y., bycrossing Clinton with 

 Muscat Hamburg. This variety yielded remarkably fine bunches the past season. 



Bunches and berries medium size, the latter oval. Skin moderately thick, pulp 

 very meaty and of an exceedingly pleasant vinous acid. Seeds small, 2 to 3 in each 

 berry. On account of its meaty character of flesh, it keeps well. This variety combines 

 in a remarkable manner in both vine and fruit the good qualities of European and 

 American grapes. It is not likely to become commercial as it does not succeed in all 

 soils, and is not a vigorous grower. Mills might be classed with it, as having the same 

 meaty character of flesh. 



RASPBERRIES. 



All varieties not protected, suffered badly last winter, and the principle of, and ad- 

 vantages accruing from, winter protection are now pretty generally accepted. 



The production and trial of seedlings is being continued and the work is extending 

 each year. The variation of the new varieties from year to year consequent upon 

 environment in the matter of soil or climatic conditions, consequently impresses the lesson 

 of caution upon the introducer of new varieties. Many seedlings now discarded, gave 

 three years ago strong indications of value and usefulness, but time and changed con- 

 ditions have developed defects not then apparent. A number of the best seedlings have 

 been named and sent to the branch farms for trial, and the quantity of each increased 

 for a more comprehensive test at the Central Farm. 



As a market berry nothing better among red varieties, than Cuthbert has yet 

 appeared. Gladstone, Superlative and Beaconsfield of the Eubus Idwus or European 

 class have fruited, but do not appear valuable and will no doubt remain in the amateur 

 list, on account of lack of productiveness as well as tenderness of cane and softness of 

 berry. Sarah raspberry did not fruit heavily on account of having mutilated the roots in 

 securing cuttings for propagation. 



Of Black Caps, Older, described and illustrated last year, easily retained first place, 

 both for productiveness and quality. The plant is also more easily kept in form than 

 other members of this division. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



The season was favourable to the development of this fruit, although unfavourable, 

 owing to more or less continuous rainfall, to marketing it in good condition. The straw- 

 berry plot contained most of the new varieties, including a considerable number of Farm 

 grown seedlings. It was planted in the spring of 1893. The rows are three and a half 

 feet apart with the plants grown in matted form, which is after all the only practicable 

 commercial system. 



The ground was cultivated and the runners cut off until mid-summer, when the 

 interspaces were mulched with manure. Any weeds appearing after this were 

 pulled by hand or cut out with a hoe. After the ground was frozen in the autumn, the 

 whole bed was covered with a coating of oat straw, the lightest covering being given 

 to the rows. The plants came through in fine condition. The straw was removed before 

 growth commenced and the ground cultivated till the fruit began to ripen when the 

 straw was returned to the rows. Each variety was made up of two parallel rows 30 feet 

 in length. 



