400 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



sions as to its valne, wliicli so fully corresponds with its general reputation, 

 that we quote him entire as follows: "This variety we have now known some 

 lour years. It is a fine grower and a good fruit, the canes perfectly hardy. 

 Mr. Elliot, of Cleveland, writes us that the plants he has of it so much resem- 

 ble, in general appearance of the canes and fruits, those of the Kirtland, that 

 he would like to gather the history of the Clarke ; perhaps Mr. Clarke, of New 

 Haven, will write it out for us. The Kirtland is supposed to be an old variety 

 not yet identified. It did not originate with Dr. Kirtland, but his name was 

 attached to it by H. B. Summ, Esq., simply because the plants he obtained 

 came from the doctor's grounds and were unknown by Mr. Summ. The variety 

 was on the doctor's place, so he tells us, when he purchased the property, and 

 the old origmal bed is there yet. It is certainly one of the very best hardy old 

 sorts, of good flavor and productiveness, but not quite firm enough for market 

 transportation for long distances." 



The Clarke unquestionably possesses an unusual assemblage of valuable 

 qualities; its essential drawbacks being that it is not quite " iron clad," and 

 that it lacks the firmness necessary for transporting long distances by land 

 conveyance. As compared with the Philadelphia, however, it is clearly supe- 

 rior in size, color and quality. Whether originating from the European 

 {Idceus) or the American (Sirigosus), judging from the phraseology employed 

 by writers in speaking of it, there seems to be the same uncertainty that has 

 arisen in the case of the Philadelphia. 



PURPLE CANE, 



allbough we place it last among the varieties to be considered, is by no means 

 a recent sort, or even one of recent introduction. We probably cannot better 

 give what is known of the origin, history and value of this old and partially 

 forgotten variety, than by quoting from the discussions of the American Po- 

 mological Society, at its session held at Philadelphia in September, 1860, which 

 we do as follows : 



"Warder — I ask for information in regard to the Purple Cane. 



"Downing — The Purple Cane and the American Red Cane I think are 

 alike. I consider it the farmer's raspberry. Thirty or forty years ago it was 

 extensively cultivated around New York. 



"Scott— The Purple Cane is the Bubus Occidentalis. 



" Satterthwait — It is the only raspberry 1 have found to stand the test. I 

 never found any other to pay as a market fruit but the Old Purple Cane. It 

 is uniformly an abundant bearer. 



"lieid — Its manner is to propagate by the points of the shoots. This berry 

 used to be cultivated extensively for the New York market." 



At the next session of this society, which occurred at Boston in September, 

 1862, this variety came again under consideration, and elicited the following 

 discussion : 



♦' Prince — I don't see the Purple Cane on the list. The Black Cap, the 

 Yellow Cap and the Purple Cane are the only three raspberries in the world 

 that root from the ends of the branches. A gentleman of Vermont is raising 

 a new variety of the Purple Cane, which promises to be superior to any other 

 of this class. 



" President — The Catawissa is another that roots from the end of the shoots. 



" Prince — Yes, sir. 



" Bergen — Do you know anything about the origin of the Purple Cane? 



