270 State Horticultural Society. 



We call this man a "crank," yet I would be tempted to adopt a 

 similar policy with the subject I am to treat, and plant for my Ben 

 Davis raspberry the Kansas. It is justly entitled to its pre-eminence 

 as a market sort, and so well known that I need not occupy your time 

 here with its description. 



However, its rather earl}'- season of ripening suggests an addition 

 of some later variety ; and its lack of highest flavor, a more desirable 

 sort for dessert. 



For later market I would plant the Nemaha, a variety similar in 

 fruit to the Alammoth Cluster, and as strong in plant and wood growth 

 as the Cumberland. In our North Missouri latitude the Nemaha 

 usually ripens July 5th to loth, which is a few days later than the 

 Kansas. Just here I wish to emphasize the importance of planting 

 some of the extreme early and extreme late varieties. Too many of 

 us plant great fields exclusively to Kansas or some other good variety 

 and then fall down at picking time because of insufficient help ; we are 

 compelled to fill up the market with over-ripe fruit, which lowers the 

 price and lessens the demand. 



Not many years ago our strawberry picking lasted but about two 

 weeks; now by judicious selection of varieties, soil and location, and 

 by proper treatment, the ripening season has been extended to full 

 four weeks. The direct result of this has more than doubled the de- 

 mand and enabled the grower to put his berries on the market in a 

 better condition and at less expense. 



In my opinion the same condition can and should exist in rasp- 

 berry growing. But who has given any thought or attention to this 

 feature of the business? What do we find in the horticultural papers 

 and reports along this line? I think there is not much of anything. 

 In this discussion let us hear about some of the extremely early and 

 late varieties and begin this feature of improvement. 



As a variety for best table use T will name the Evans, and in so 

 doing pay a just tribute to its originator, our time-honored member. 

 Col. Evans, for giving to the world this excellent fruit. 



Although with us it is only average in size and appearance and a 

 litle too tender for extensive planting, its superior flavor in comparison 

 with other varieties is very noticeable and recommends it to every 

 garden and commercial assortment. 



It was in testing this variety that I was impressed with the possi- 

 bility of improving the quality of the raspberry as well as the quantity, 

 size, color and such other attributes as generally occupy our exclusive 

 time and attention. 



I submit this list as being the best only as the result of my own 



