604 ANNUAL REPOR'B OF THE Off. Doc. 



the three most profitable varieties by forty-three correspondents. 

 Niagara comes in second willi twenty-five votes; Worden fourteen; 

 Moore's Early five; Campbells Early four; Brij^hton four; Moore's 

 Diamond two; Isabella, tAvo, and Delaware two. The spraying of 

 this crop is not practiced to any extent except by commercial grow- 

 ers. They find spraying to be a necessity and it is entirely efticient 

 when properly done. 



SMALL FRUITS. 



As to which are the more profitable, red or black raspberries, 

 twenty-one grow'ers report in favor of the red and twelve in favor 

 of black. Four correspondents think the two classes are equally 

 profitable. The red berries bring larger prices on the market, but 

 they are more difficult to handle in good condition. There is an in- 

 creasing demand for red raspberries. 



Blackberries are regarded profitable by thirty-one growers, while 

 eleven give negative replies. Some small markets are flooded with 

 wild blackberries at prices that cannot be met by growers of im- 

 proved varieties. 



The cultivation of all classes of small fruits is on the increase in 

 most counties. 



VEGETABLES. 



Forty-two correspondents report that market gardening is profita- 

 ble in their localities, w'hile six give negative answers to this ques- 

 tion. The lack of good markets is generally the cause of the failures 

 reported. The favorable replies should be most encouraging to our 

 market gardeners and to those contemplating engaging in the busi- 

 ness. We believe there are many opportunities for profitable 

 gardening all over the State. A great deal of produce is shipped 

 into our State which could be grown profitably at home. 



Cabbage occupies first place as the most profitable vegetable. 

 Earlj^ Jersey, Wakefield and Charleston Wakefield are most exten- 

 sively grown for market. For second early. Early Summer and Suc- 

 cession rank high. Next to cabbage, tomatoes are considered by 

 our correspondents as the most profitable, and Earliana the most 

 profitable early tomato. Stone is the most popular late tomato. 

 Matchless is also a favorite. 



ORNAMENTALS. 



Thirty-one correspondents say there is an increase in the use of 

 plants, trees and shrubs and fifteen report no increase. The mem- 

 bers of this organization should exert every possible influence to 

 create greater interest in the beautifying of house grounds, school 

 grounds, road sides, cemeteries, village streets and commons. Such 

 plantations have a value that cannot be estimated in dollars. 



NATURE STUDY. 



It is a pleasure to report that nature study is receiving increased 

 attention in the rural schools of Qm' State, Thirty correspondents 



