SMALL FRUITS. 33 



plant is of more dwarf habit than most of the others ; thus it can be 

 planted closer between rows, and it stands up very well without 

 staking- or tying-, and except for the convenience of applying winter 

 protection would do much better in rows than hills. The Brandy- 

 wine has been considerably grown in this state ; it is one of the 

 hardiest, if properly cared for ; very productive, fruit fine color, 

 not the best in quality, but takes very well in the market. 



Most popular of all is the Cuthbert. It is a rank grower, the canes 

 on rich soil often reaching a height of seven to eight feet. The fruit 

 is of the largest size, fine appearance and excellent quality and 

 later than the others in ripening, and is a great favorite for both 

 family use and market. There are a nuinber of new varieties being 

 introduced, but none that we have tasted excel those mentioned, and 

 some are worthless. 



Blackcaps. In this class there are a considerable number of 

 varieties from which selections may be made. The Souhegan and 

 Tyler are best known, as being the earliest to ripen their fruit. 

 They are, however, but two or three days earlier than the old Doolit- 

 tle and not as productive. We would prefer the Doolittle to either 

 of them, if we could get genuine plants of it, but it is getting- to be 

 badly mixed and run out. From the many favorable reports being 

 received of the Palmer, we are inclined to the belief that it will soon 

 take the first place for early. The Hilborn and Ohio are in the 

 lead as medium early. The Ohio is one of the hardiest, a strong 

 grower, produces abundantly, markets well and is much esteemed 

 for drying and evaporating-. The Older and Kansas are said to pro- 

 duce fruit of finer quality for table use. For late the Gregg and 

 Nemaha are most generally grown; in size and quality of fruit and 

 productiveness they differ but little ; both are strong growers, a 

 little tender for this climate, but the Nemaha is thought to be the 

 more hardy of the two; the fruit is very popular in the market. 



The Shaffer is a variety that is now rapidly growing in favor. It 

 is not a true blackcap, although it resembles it sotnewhat in habit 

 and growth. It is thought by many to be a hybrid between the red 

 and black. The fruit is of a purple red color, of largest stze. The 

 plants are strong- growers and very productive, and, probably, as 

 hardy as any of the blackcaps. The fruit is juicy and high flavored 

 and especially valuable for canning. It is propagated only from 

 layers of the tips. From the brief trial we have given it, we are led 

 to believe that it will prove invaluable as a home berry and for mar- 

 ket where much canning is done, and whether it be a hybrid or a 

 sprout from the blackcap, or a separate and independent species 

 does not detract from its value. If it be an accidental hybrid we 

 may expect to see it soon followed by other crosses between the 

 two species; and the skillful experimentalist will yet be able by judi- 

 cious crosses between such varieties as the Cuthbert and Nemaha to 

 produce a plant that is hardy, vigorous and productive, with a fruit 

 of finer color and better flavor than any now known. 



