THE FRUITS 163 



The blackcap varieties mostly have black-colored berries 

 and are native Americans. They grow best on sandy or clay 

 loam soils that are rich, moist, and well-drained. Plenty of 

 humus in the soil is desirable because it holds moisture. Suc- 

 cess with any kind of berries depends upon having the soil 

 moist at fruiting time. Plenty of stable manure is a good fer- 

 tilizer for blackcap varieties. The plants are increased by 

 the tips of the new canes taking root at the ends. The 

 berries are borne on canes one year old. As soon as the 

 berries are ripe these canes die and should be removed. 

 To keep new canes from getting too tall they should be 

 pinched off at the tips when two or three feet high. This will 

 cause them to send out many side branches which will also 

 have to be pinched back when they are ten or twelve inches 

 long. Such treatment makes strong, sturdy plants. New 

 plants should be set in the spring and the old canes attached 

 to them should be cut off near the ground so that no berries 

 will be produced the first year. 



The red raspberries are of two kinds which are much alike. 

 One is of American origin and the other is from Europe. The 

 red varieties do not take root at the tip of the canes, but send 

 up many suckers from their roots. New plants can also be 

 produced from root cuttings. The red varieties are better 

 when not pinched back during the summer, but should be 

 cut back to a height of three or four feet the next spring. 

 Red raspberries grow on about the same soil as the black- 

 caps. 



Some good varieties of the blackcaps are Gregg, Kansas, 

 Black Diamond, Nemeha, and Conrath. Of the red varieties 

 the Cuthbert, Loudon, Miller, and Marlboro are good. The 

 Golden Queen is a good yellow variety. 



