SOIL AND CULTURE. 513 



The large fruited varieties most esteemed in our gardens have 

 all originated from the long cultivated Rubus idaus, or Mount 

 Ida bramble, which appears first to have been introduced into 

 the gardens of the South of Europe from Mount Ida. It is now 

 quite naturalized in some parts of this country. Besides this, 

 we have in the woods the common black raspberry, or thimble- 

 berry (Rubus occidentalism L.), and the red raspberry (Rubus 

 strigosus, Michx.), with very good fruit. 



The name raspberry (Raspo, Italian) is probably from the 

 rasping roughness of prickly wood. The term raspis is still 

 used in Scotland. 



USES. The raspberry is held in general estimation, not only 

 as one of the most refreshing and agreeable sub-acid fruits for 

 the dessert, but it is employed by almost every family in making 

 preserves, jams, ices, sauces, tarts and jellies ; and on a larger 

 scale by confectioners for making syrups, by distillers for making 

 raspberry brandy, raspberry vinegar, &c. Raspberry wine, 

 made in the same way as that of currant, is considered the 

 most fragrant and delicious of all home-made wines. 



Succeeding the strawberry at the beginning of summer, when 

 there is comparatively little else, this is one of the most invalu- 

 able fruits, and, with the strawberry, generally commands the 

 attention of those who have scarcely room for fruit trees. It is, 

 next to the strawberry, one of the most wholesome berries, and 

 not being liable to undergo the acetous fermentation in the 

 stomach, it is considered beneficial in cases of gout or rheu- 

 matism. 



PROPAGATION. The raspberry is universally propagated by 

 suckers, or offsets, springing up from the main roots. Seeds are 

 only planted when new varieties are desired. The seedlings 

 come into bearing at two or three years of age. 



SOIL AND CULTURE. The best soil is a rich deep loam, rather 

 moist than dry, but the raspberry will thrive well in any soil 

 that is rich and deep, provided it is fully exposed to the sun 

 and air. 



In making a plantation of raspberries, choose, therefore, an 

 open sunny quarter of the garden, where the soil is good and 

 deep. Plant the suckers or canes in rows, from three to four 

 feet apart, according to the vigour of the sort. Two or three 

 suckers are generally planted together, to form a group or stool, 

 and these stools may be three feet apart in the rows. 



The plantation being made, its treatment consists chiefly in 

 a single pruning, every year, given early in the spring. To 

 perform this, examine the stools in April, and leaving the strong- 

 est shoots or suckers, say about six or eight to each stool, cut 

 away all the old wood, and all the other suckers (except such 

 as are wanted for new plantations). The remaining shoots 

 should have about a foot of their ends cut off, as this part of the 



