STATE HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. I97 



Merrimac (No. 19), and Agawam (No. 15); all of which sorts are of 

 robust growth, nearly hardy, productive, and the fruit large and of 

 quality from good to very good. 



Blackberries. — The Snyder hsLS been sufficiently tested in the north 

 half of the State to enable me to report positively of its superiority to all 

 other varieties in cultivation in this latitude. It has not been known to 

 be seriously damaged by the severe winters until the last winter, when, 

 perhaps, an average of one-third the canes were badly damaged, reducing 

 the crop correspondingly. The fruit, when ripe, is fully up to Kittatinny 

 or Lawton in flavor, and of good, though not large size. It produces as 

 heavy crops as can be desired ; in fact, its tendency to overbear is its 

 worst fault. 



The Ancient Britain is highly commended, by L. K. Scofield and 

 others who have grown it, for the extreme northern portion of the State. 

 The fruit is said to be very sweet, though only medium in size, and the 

 canes entirely hardy. 



The Barnard is also commended for Northern Illinois and Iowa, 

 where it has been fruited, as it withstands the rigors of the coldest winters. 

 I have it on trial, planted last spring, though I have not fruited it 

 as yet. 



Taylor is also on trial — canes commended as hardy, and fruit as 

 large and delicious. With me it was damaged more than Snyder last 

 winter, though not entirely killed, as were Lawton, Wilson's Early and 

 Kittatinny. 



Raspberries. — Many new varieties of red and black Raspberries, and 

 a few of hybrids, have been introduced into the State within a few years. 

 I have tested nearly all these varieties, but have learned but little of their 

 success or failure in other portions of the State, and will, therefore, speak 

 only of my own experience, and will name sorts in each class in the 

 order of their merit on my own grounds. 



Cuthbert {or Queen of the Market) — for these two are so nearly alike, 

 if not identical, that they have been considered as one where grown side 

 by side — is a new red variety, canes hardy and immensely productive ; 

 fruit large, of good quality, bright color and the firmest red sort which I 

 have yet fruited. This is at present the most valuable market sort among 

 the red raspberries. 



Reliance is also hardy, and bears as heavily as can be desired ; the 

 fruit is a little larger than Turner, of good quality and of medium firm- 

 ness for a red berry. 



Winant is almost if not quite equal to Reliance, and may, after 

 further experience, be placed before it on the list, as with me it is a little 

 firmer than that variety. 



Thwack, which originated in Missouri and was introduced into this 

 State three years since, is growing in favor. The canes are the hardiest 

 on my grounds — not a terminal bud having been killed during last wintei*, 

 which was as severe a test of hardiness as I ever knew. They are quite 

 productive, fruit of good size and quality, and almost as firm as that of 

 Cuthbert. The canes are short, not exceeding four feet, and require no 



