No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 733 



CHERRIES. 



This crop was variable over the State, depending upon the weather 

 at the time of ripening. This fruit succeeds well only, especially 

 the sweet varieties, when the atmosphere is clear and dry. 



Rainy and murky weather sometimes ruin the entire crop inside 

 of twenty-four hours. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture just before 

 ripening is beneficial. The sour varieties are the most reliable. 



There is still complaint of the birds taking an undue share of 

 the early sweet cherries. The remedy is, more cherry trees. I have 

 no fault to find with the birds eating cherries, but I shall, later in 

 this report, pay some attention to the robin. 



GRAPES. 



The grape appears to be an uncertain crop in this State, except in 

 what is known as the grape belt on the shore of Lake Erie. Fine 

 fruit, as per reports, is grown in nearly every county; but spraying 

 and bagging must be resorted to, to assure a crop. There appears 

 to be less experimenting with the newer introductions than formerly. 

 This is probably due to the fact that most of them have shown no 

 merits to commend them, and often proving less valuable than the 

 old standard varieties. A number of varieties are mentioned as 

 doing well, but the Concord is still the old standby. The Campbell 

 is reported by some as disappointing. 



SMALL, FRUITS. 



There is a marked increase in the production of strawberries in 

 gome parts of the State, while in others there is a decline. The 

 southern counties of the State are thrown into strong competition 

 with this fruit from Delaware and Maryland and fruit grown farther 

 south. Of the varieties as "doing best" may be mentioned, the 

 Sharpless, Haverland, Clyde, Cumberland, Gandy, Bubach, Bismarck, 

 Poeomoke, Dunlap, Beder Wood, Brandywiue, Sample, Marshall, 

 Glen Mary, Kentucky, Splendid, Crescent and some more. 



Raspberry culture is holding its own. Cuthbert of the red varie- 

 ties is still the leader, while Kansas, Gregg and Cumberland are the 

 favorite black caps. 



Blackberries are not cultivated extensively. Those named as the 

 hardiest are, Snyder, Taylor, Minnewaski and Erie. Rathbon, Oh- 

 mer and Kittatinny are favorably mentioned. 



Some correspondents report currant culture as being profita- 

 ble, while gooseberries receive but little attention. 



