2*73 



RASPBERRIES AND BLACKBERRIES. 



In the fall of 1800 a poi-tion of the canes of each variety then living were 

 covered with earth or manure as a protection aii;ainst the winter, while the 

 remainder were left unprotected. In A])ril, 1891, they were uncovered, and it was 

 found that, owing to the warmth of the soil, those covered were in an advanced 

 stage of growth, and suffered more fi-om the cold weather which followed than those 

 unj)roiected. In the case of the red laspberries no ditl'erence was observable during 

 the summer be ween the protected or unprotected, but with the Black-cap varieties 

 there was a marked difference in favour of protection. 



The following varieties are doing well, and have fruited during the past 

 season : — 



Philadelphia (red), " from plants procured in the province," is very hardy, and 

 does well without protection, is a good bearer, and very early; fruit ripening with 

 us from July to September. 



Turner (red), is also very hardy; fruiting on both old and young caues; fiuit 

 ripened fiom early in August to end of September. 



Hilborn (Black-cap), although very hardy, is the better for a little winter pro- 

 tection ; bears well; fruit ripening during August and September. 



The Marlboro', Cuthbert, Eeider, HeSbner, Golden Queen and Caroline, in the 

 red and yellow vaiieties; Gieirg, Black-cap and Snyder, Wachusett's, Thomless and 

 Agawam blackberries grew well, and fruited with us during the past season, but 

 having only a few plants of each variety, we cannot yet speak with certainty as to 

 their hardiness. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



The strawberries planted in 1889, in a sheltered plot on the hill-side, came 

 thi'ough the winter in good shape, and during the past season yielded a fair crop of 

 fruit. The Ci'escent variety again fruited well, and commenced to ripen ihe first 

 week in July, followed closely by Captain Jack and Wilson. Bubach and Man- 

 chester- with lightei' j'ields ripened in the middle of July. Shnrpless and Daniel 

 Boone fruited very heavily, but being later, only ripeneil a part of their fruit. 



In May a new plot was planted with runners from the old bed, and in August 

 the old bed was thinned out, and allowed to make runners for another season. 



aOOSEBERRIES. 



With the exception of one vai-iety, the " Houghton," all of the goo.seberry 

 bushes sufFei-ed severely from the effects of the trying weather experienced last 

 spring. Coming safely through the winter, the warm weather of April brought 

 them rapidly into leaf, and being very tender, when sharp frosts and winds occurred 

 in May a great many were killed, and those surviving lost their blossom and were 

 badly frozen back. During the past season they have grown again very rapidly, 

 the result being that the new wood is weak and straggling, lying on the ground 

 instead of growing into bush shape. Tests of different modes-of training and prun- 

 ing are being made in the endeavour to overcome this straggling habit. 



Tk— 18 



