360 ANNUAL REPORT 



ing apple trees- knew how important a heavy mulching of chips, 

 cane bagasse, or anything to hold the moisture is. it would not 

 be neglected. 



SMALL FRUITS. 



strawberries are grown more extensively here than any other 

 fruit, and the industry seems to be steadily on the increase, 

 withal the prices ruling so low. The last two seasons the vari- 

 eties that gave the best results are Crescent seedling, Wilson, 

 Capt. Jack, on clay soil; on sandy loam, Crescent, Manchester, 

 fertilized with Sucker State, and Downer's Prolific, properly fer- 

 tilizing being the true secret of success with pistilate varieties. 

 If we wish to be successful in growing small fruits, we must 

 adopt the 'intensive" plan, plant only what we can cultivate 

 and do it well; then we may expect to command a paying price 

 in our markets — not otherwise. 



So far as I have noticed, raspberry culture has not been very 

 successful, in consequence of our finest berries being too tender 

 to stand without winter protection. The majority of people 

 think this will not pay. ' 



I was talking with a neighbor, a Swede, who had about half an 

 acre of Turner and the same of Philadelphia; he gives high cul- 

 tivation, keeps the hills thinned to only three canes, gives no 

 winter protection; claims he obtained $5 per 24 crates for Turner. 

 The Philadelj)hia he makes into wine that brings him f3 per 

 gallon. This shows what good management and skill will ac- 

 complish. 



Souhegan is the hardiest and best blackcap raspberry, that I 

 have seen tried. It is very early, wonderfully prolific, and very 

 good quality when fully ripe. The Marlboro has made a vigor- 

 ous growth the past season and borne a few large handsome ber- 

 ries which look very attractive, but in quality I call it poor. 

 The Cathbert for red and the Gregg for black, planted out and 

 given good cultivation and protected over winter, will always 

 command a fancy i^rice in our markets, and will repay for the 

 protection. 



Eed Dutch currants for profit, certainly stands at the very head. 

 Fay's currants have borne some fruit, which is very large and 

 attractive, but I doubt very much if it will ever supplant the old 

 stand-by; its flavor is very poor; that, I think, will always pre- 

 vent it from becoming popular. However, it may prove to be 

 more valuable on further trial. The White Grape currant is 



