454: REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE 



less, not quite so large a berry as either, but a liardy and pro- 

 ductive plant, Willi a habit of growth that commends it to 

 favor. 



Canada Blackcap. — This I lind quite distinct and some 

 days later than the Doolittle, but it possesses no advantage in 

 size, flavor, or productiveness over the old sort. Had we not 

 a more valuable kind in the Mammoth Cluster, its lateness 

 would make it of some value. 



Damson's T/iortiless. — It has been claimed for this variety 

 that it is as productive as the Doolittle ; but it must be con- 

 ceded that, to get the same vigor of cane, it must have some 

 advantage of cultivation over that variety ; at least, that is my 

 experience. 



Still, its comparative freedom from thorns, its fine, large 

 fruit, and early ripening, — before the Doolittle, — will well 

 repay some extra labor, at least for the garden ; and in field 

 culture it has, I believe, in some sections, proved quite satis- 

 factory. 



Could we have a variety like this, free from thorns, with the 

 vigor and habit of the Mammoth Cluster, it would, indeed, be 

 an acquisition beyond price. Who will be the fortunate agent 

 in its production ? 



Mammoth Cluster. — While the advocates of verbal accuracy 

 will object to this name, and with some valid reason, it is too 

 late, I fear, to displace it in the popular vocabulary with that 

 of the Collinsville Miami, whatever may be said of the justice 

 of such a procedure. 



That it is the most valuable of our blackcaps, there can be 

 but one opinion. Coming, as it does, a week or more after the 

 Doolittle, with its fine large berries, vigorous canes, and most 

 excellent habit of growth, it leaves but little to be desired in 

 the way of a raspberry, except freedom from thorns. 



That the great superiority of this variety was not generally 

 recognized by horticulturists, so long as it had been in culti- 

 vation, before it was brought out as th(3 Mammoth Cluster, is 

 not a little remarkable. 



