172 TRA^^SACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



is to cut back the new growth in June and July to three feet, and in August to shorten 

 in the side shoots. This treatment is favorable to large crops of fine berries, and no 

 doubt has much to do in preventing winter killing. 



MISSOURI MAMMOTH. 



This fruit is of less size than the two named above, and gives evident promise of a 

 failure at this point. I shall continue it another year, but not with a view to extend 

 its culture. 



RASPBERRIES. 



Among the mystifications and swindling that have pervaded the history of this fruit 

 for the past three or four years, the public have at last reached solid ground. Any 

 person can go to the forest in the fruiting season and run the whole gamut of native , 

 Doolittle, Miami, etc., except the Mammoth Cluster, which only exists in the imagina- 

 tion of the genus shyster among plant dealers. This bold attempt at re-naming a 

 standard variety of fruit has come to public exposure, and richly deserves the scorn of 

 every cultivator of fruit. For these attempts there is no good reason why the parties 

 engaged in them should not be indited and punished like other cheats for obtaining 

 money under lalse pretenses. The statutes of our fetate are plain on this subject, and 

 all it lacks is their enforcement. 



THE MIAMI. 



This variety is a few days later than the Doolittle, and when well grown is large. 

 The canes grow strong and are armed with sharp spines. 



THORNLESS. 



This is a good grower, and is nearly destitute of spines. It has not been fully 

 tested by fruiting, but has the appearance of a vigorous if not productive plant. 



PHILADELPHIA. 



In regard to this fruity it is simUar to Purple Cane, and is too soft to ship any dis- 

 tance on our roads. With steel rails we may have an improvement, when it may be 

 possible to ship even the Purple Cane. 



Thus far the raspberries have not met the expectations of planters in this part of the 

 State. A general system of mulching may have a good efl:ect. I now plant in rows 

 eight feet, and three feet in the row. 



STRAWBERRIES — THE MICHIGAN. 



• 



Hathaway's Seedling No. 1, or as now named, the Michigan, gives promise of being 

 valuable. It is very vigorous, and, like the Wilson, has little tendency to thi-ow oflF 

 runners, and thus not to exhaust the bearing plant. I look upon that habit of the 

 Wilson as the secret of success. Should the Michigan prove as productive as I have 

 hopes it may, it ^\ill have some advantages in flavor. Mr. Hathaway has sent out two 

 or three of his seedlings to prominent fruit-growers, who will no doubt report on them 

 in due time. 



