o54 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



RASPBERRIES. 



Among the smaller fruits the raspberry holds a high rauk. Ripening im- 

 mediately after tlie strawberry, when fruit is rather scarce, it usually commands 

 a good price iu market. Its pleasant flavor, and cool, refreshing qualities, 

 render it a favorite fruit. Some of the finer kinds are too tender for transpor- 

 tation, but may be cultivated for home use. Tlie plants grow rapidly and re- 

 quire little care except to be kept clean. The best soil for them is a deep, rich, 

 moist, and rather sandy loam. They bear liberal manuring. In the autumn 

 the old canes and the weak new ones should be cut away, and only strong 

 healthy ones left for the next crop. They should be headed in to within about 

 four feet of the ground, and be tied to stakes. 



Among the varieties deserving of attention are the Red Antwerp, the New Red 

 Antwerp, Fastolf, Franconia, Catawissa, Brinckle's Orange, Knevett's Giant, 

 and the English. But few persons are aware of the value of this fruit, or of tlie 

 extent to which it is grown in some places. In the town of Milton, Ulster 

 county, New York, there were, a few years since, one hundred acres devoted 

 to its cultivation. The harvesting continues about six weeks ; during this 

 time men, women, and children are engaged plucking the fruit; about five 

 hands are employed on each acre. The work commences as soon as the dew 

 is otf the ])lants in the morning, the berries being picked into small willow 

 baskets, which at evening are packed in boxes and sent by steamboat to New 

 York city. The average daily export through the season is ten thousand 

 boxes, which, at ten cents per basket, amounts to $1,000 a day, or about 

 $42,000 per season. Twenty tons have been sent from this one landing in a 

 day. 



GRAPES. 



I do not propose here to enter upon the subject of vineyard culture, which 

 has been greatly extended within a lew years past, especially in the middle 

 States, and in Ohio and Missouri, as well for supplying the markets with this 

 delicious fruit as for the manufacture of wine. I shall confine my remarks to 

 the culture of the grape in gardens. 



Every householder may have a grapevine. It will grow in the corner of 

 the .yard or by the side of the porch. It may be trained on the roof of the 

 wood shed, on the side of the barn, on a simple trellis, or on a single stake. 

 The corner of the garden, which would not be convenient for a tree, will afford 

 hpace and shelter for a vine. Its fruit not only makes a most delightful dessert, 

 but in the sick room nothing can take the place of its cooling and refreshing 

 juices. 



The grape thrives best in a good warm soil, not excessively rich, Intt dark 

 and mellow. Lime, old plaster, ashes, bone dust, scrapings from the road, 

 ktaf mould, or any well-rotted vegetable matter, make the best dressings for the 

 grape. Green manures, animal substances, night soil, or other stimulating 

 manures will force out a large growth of wood and foliage, but will add noth- 

 ing to the quality of the fruit, and retard rather than hasten its maturity. 

 Grapes that mature in season to escape the early autumn frosts are the only 

 ones that merit the attention of cultivators in the northern States. Several 

 new early varieties have been introduced within a few years. Grape-growers 

 are directing their efforts especially towards the production of early sorts, and 

 not without the promise of ultimate success. The Isabella was formerly thb 

 finest grape grown in the north; but, except in very favorable circumstances, 

 a crop was not matured oftener than once in three or four years. Some seed- 

 lings from the Isabella have made several days' advance upon the parent vine 

 iu the season of ripening, with little or no loss in the quality of the fruit. Such 

 Borts as originate in particular sections of the country generalh' become favor- 



