SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS. 379 



put ill better order by first plowing under some green manure 

 (clover, for instance) and treat as above. The ground is now ready, 

 but what kinds shall we plant? 



Nearly every one who has plants to sell has a list of varieties 

 that he especially recommends as ''just what you want," and "ex- 

 actly suited to your soil and climate." 



Would it not be better to plant largely of the old standard 

 varieties that have succeeded best in our immediate vicinity, on soil 

 similar to ours, and but sparingly of the new until we have tested 

 them thoroughly and proved their worth? The growing of straw- 

 berries for market during the last few years has not been a Tery 

 profitable busines on account of the quantity and quality of fruit on 

 the market, and the conse([ueiit low prices obtained for it. If every 

 grower would have his brand stamped on each package of fruit, have 

 it more carefully and uniformly graded, so that the purchaser could 

 rely on getting just the quality and quantity that was claimed to be 

 in the package without being compelled to examine it, better prices 

 could be realized than heretofore. Crescent, Capt. Jack, Miner and 

 Chas. Do-\vning are good standard varieties to begin with, and others 

 may be added as they are found worthy. 



For several years much difficulty has attended the profitable 

 growing of black raspberries, owing to the diseased condition of the 

 vines, which prevented them from maturing a good crop of fruit. It 

 is hoped that the difficulty will pass off, so we can raise as good crops 

 of berries in the future as in the past. 



Gregg, Souhegaii and Ohio are among the best for general 

 planting. The Shaffer's Colossal has, since its introduction, attracted 

 much attention on account of the hardness of the canes, the large 

 size of its fruit, and its productiveness, which is simply wonderful. 

 It is a very rank grower, and must be pruned severely to keep it 

 within bounds. The fruit is firm, if ])icked when first ripe. Then 

 its color is red, which afterwards changes to a purplish hue. It is a 

 good shipper, and sells well. Turner, Cuthbert and Braudywine are 

 the best red raspberries. The former is more extensively cultivated 

 than any other variety, and is probably well known to nearly every- 

 one. Of the two latter, the Cuthbert is generally considered the 

 best. The fruit is of large size, quite firm, and makes an excellent 

 shipping berry. 



Blackberries were a short crop in our section this year, owing to 

 the extremely dry weather and the poor condition in which they 

 came through the winter. The Snyder is the variety most generally 

 planted. 



The Lucretia dewberry is attracting considerable attention at 

 present. The vines are claimed to be perfectly hardy and enor- 

 mously productive, of good sized, fine flavored fruit, resembling the 

 blackberry in shape and color, but somewhat larger. It has not been 

 thoroughly tested, but promises well. 



