CULTURE OF SMALL FRUITS. 95 



have originated. Neither the Knevett's Giant nor Franconia are 

 found in any European Catalogue. 



B. G. Smith had grown the Franconia for fifteen jenrs from the 

 same stoclv, and 3'ear before last took the first prize with it. 



J . W. Manning questioned whether there bad been an}' impi'ove- 

 ment in raspberries for the last fort}' years. He had grown the 

 Franconia an inch in diameter. Knevett's Giant is not as hard}' 

 as the Franconia. The Belle de Fontena}- and MerA^eille de Quatre 

 Saisons are ver}'^ much the same as the Knevett's, in habit of 

 growth, appearance of the fruit, and in bearing a crop in autumn 

 on the new wood. 



Mr. Richardson thought the Brinckle's Orange the finest rasp- 

 berry for family use. He inquired why raspberries sometimes pro- 

 duced fruits with onl}- a few of the grains developed. He thought 

 it probabl}' owing to a defect in the fertilization of the flowers. 

 The Narragansett is particularly objectionable on this account. 



Robert Manning said that in raising raspberries from seed, as in 

 raising native grapes from seed, a large proportion of the plants 

 will be entirel}' barren. Man}^ others will bear onl}' imperfect 

 berries, and there seems to be a tendency in some of the standard 

 varieties towai'ds this condition. The only practical suggestion 

 which the speaker had to make, was that in propagating, suckers 

 should be selected from those plants and stools only which bore 

 perfect fruit. The Franconia, he thought, from its firmness, most 

 valual)le for market. Its spirited acid makes it desirable for pre- 

 serving. After it is gathered its texture and flavor both become 

 mellowed, and twenty-four hours after picking it is better for the 

 table than when just picked. Knevett's Giant is earlier than the 

 Franconia, and fine for famil}' use. It sometimes adheres slightly 

 to the core in picking. The old White Antwerp and Brinckle's 

 Orange are the finest for eating as " hand fruits." 



Mr. Wilder said, in answer to an inquiry as to the value of the 

 Black Cap raspberries, that they are earlier than the others (as the 

 children soon find out), and valuable on that account. Davison's 

 Thornless is one of the best. 



The Chairman said that the McCormick or Mammoth Cluster is 

 the largest and best of the Black Cap class, and also very prolific. 



J. W. Manning agreed with the Chairman, and added that the 

 Souhegan is a new variety and highly recommended. 



Mr. Richardson had tested the Golden Thornless and found it 

 worthless. This was confirmed by several gentlemen. 



