GENERAL FRUITS. 171 



itiated its quality is very forbidding and its bitter, unpleasant taste long 

 to be remembered. It is used cbiefly by the frontier hotel in making pie. 



The wild grape, or Vitis riparia, grows abundantly along all the streams, 

 and seems to fruit alternate years. The fruit from individual plants varies 

 greatly. It is used in making wines and jellies. 



The strawberry, Fragaria Virginiana and Fragaria Virginiana Illinoensis, 

 grows in all parts of the state where the prairie is broken, along the edges 

 of the ravines, along thickets, and in the so-called timber country. Its 

 productiveness varies greatly in different years, and, while fairly abun- 

 dant, it is not found in such quantities as to make it valuable as a market 

 berry. The readiness with which it grows would indicate that the hardy 

 cultivated varieties could be grown with success in nearly all localities. 



The common red raspberry, Rubies strigosus, is found everywhere east of 

 the Missouri. It grows in all places except in the open prairies. It is no 

 less delicious and fruitful in North Dakota than I have found it in the 

 most favored localities elsewhere. It finds its way freely into the mark- 

 ets of the western towns and a citizen who does not go raspberrying two 

 or three times a year does not live up to his luscious privileges. 



The black raspberry, Bubus oceidentalis, is more restricted as to local- 

 ity. It was reported from but one place, that being in Eichland Co., 

 though there is no apparent reason why its range could not be greatly 

 extended. 



Perhaps the fruit that is of the greatest value is the Shepherdia argenta, 

 commonly known as the buffalo berry or bull berry. It grows every- 

 where, along streams, and so far back as timber of any kind is found. It 

 grows readily in yards, and would probably endure cultivation almost 

 anywhere in the state. As we approach the northern part of the state, 

 it becomes lower in habit, bushier, and we find the same increase in 

 fruitfulness that accompanies all dwarfing. The fruit is borne in irregu- 

 lar clusters at the side of the stem, and in such quantities as to give it a 

 strikingly red appearance. The foliage is of a bright silvery color, the 

 oblong leaves being covered with brownish scales. The fruit is very 

 juicy and, when first tasted, has a pleasant acid flavor, but, if retained 

 in the mouth, it imparts a sensation of sweetness. The uses of the fruit 

 correspond very nearly with that of the cultivated currant. It is not in- 

 ferior to this last named fruit in the making of jellies or any of that 

 class of condiments. 



There are many features of the North Dakota soil and climate that 

 would seem to foretell success in the production of many kinds of fruit. 

 The soil is easily cared for and very retentive of moisture. The dwarfing 

 that the high latitude causes insures a large production of fruit, in case 

 the plants can be grown at all. Mildew and rust are seldom seen, while 

 the insect enemies are not yet instructed as to the large fruitful area 

 that lies open to them. 



The actual amount of wild fruit consumed is almost great enough to 

 excite the wonder of one used to depending almost entirely upon cultiva- 

 ted fruits, and although the fruit capacity of the state can and must be 

 much enlarged, yet the van of North Dakota settlers enjoys many of the 

 pomological blessings of nature without leaving a train of tin fruit cans 

 in its rear. 



