SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS. 215 



Anion^ the black-cap ras^pberries the Gregg has gone to the 

 head, and, for the present, promises to stay there as a late sort. Sou- 

 hegau bids fair to take the place of the earliest kinds, as it is hardy, 

 productive and of good quality. No variety of red raspberry can 

 compare with Turner for hardiness here. All other reds were killed 

 to the ground l)y the cold of last winter, and the Turner was hurt 

 somewhat, but enough buds were left to give a half crop of fruit. 



Snvder was the only variety of blackberry that made any pre- 

 tense ol producing fruit last year, and that was considerably injured 

 by the cold of the ])revious winter. 



This locality suffered ))ut little from either insects, blight, 

 grape-rot. rust, or other scourges of like nature, and we only hope 

 that we may be as free from them the coming season. 



At this writing (Jan. 21st) nearly all small fruits are in appa- 

 rently good condition. The strawberries have been well covered 

 with snow since the cold weather set in^ and the canes and vines of 

 other fruit do not seem to have been injured by the late cold weather. 

 The buds, having remained thoroughly dormant since the fall of the 

 leaves and with little moisture to swell them, I believe to be safe if 

 nothing further V)ofalls them ])etween this time and spring. Cherr}' 

 buds, notwithstanding the extreme cold of late- 30° — are as yet 

 unharmed. 



Hoping you may have a profitable and interesting meeting. I 

 sybmit the foregoing. 



DISCUSSION. 



Dr. Williams — I have been cultivating the Brandywine. Find 

 it not quite as good a berry as others, but it does nicely and bears 

 well. 



Mr. Hallett — I read the reports over very carefully and planted 

 the Seneca on recommendaticni of Mr. Galusha, but it is entirely 

 worthless. The Doolittle 1 planted for an early berry, but is later 

 than the Mammoth Cluster, which is the earliest berry I have. 



Mr. Kellogg — I think Mr. Hallett must have made some mistake 

 in the varieties of his raspberries, for the Doolittle is certainly an 

 earlier berry than the Mammoth Cluster. I think the Turner is the 

 best for family use. Brandywine is the most firm and best for ship- 

 ping. The Cuthbcrt is the latest, handsomest and best for general 

 use. 



Mr. Cotta — The Cuthbert is the best berry T have tried so far. 

 It is very large and beautiful, but a bad sucker. 



