STATE POMOLOGICAI. S0CIE;TY. IO/ 



I have a few of the All Seasons, which is, as a whole, a fane 

 thing. It will give us fruit as a surprise, large, red, and of fine 

 flavor ; plant short and stocky, of peculiar color, very hardy. 



I planted a few of the Royal Church, which I have discarded 

 as almost worthless. It resembles the old Clark, crumbly, and 

 has not many good qualities, anyway. 



The Columbian, (a cross between red and black) I find a 

 remarkable fruit, more prolific than the Shaffer, and the berry is 

 firmer, not quite as dark in color, and good enough to induce one 

 to bestow extra care on the plants, as they are not perfectly 

 hardy, but if allowed to grow uncut and laid down close, they 

 will astonish the grower. 



The good old blackcap, Gregg, is a favorite sort with me, very 

 large and firm and as productive as one could desire, good 

 enough raw or canned, cooked or dried ; plants not perfectly 

 hardy, yet v/ith care and proper treatment will give good satis- 

 faction. 



BLACKBERRIES. 



Years ago, I grew the Snyder to quite an extent, but the berry 

 was small and the canes were so apt to break off at the crown 

 and were so imcomfortable on account of thorns, I discarded 

 it. Something better I find in the Agawam and the Wachusett 

 thornless, so-called, both excellent in every respect. 



I want to caution all as to the extolled Oregon Evergreen 

 blackberry. I have worked three years on one plant and have to 

 say, let it alone. Of all the thorny things it is ahead ; regular 

 hooks clear out on the leaf stems and the fruit is small and late, 

 while plant is tender. It killed in spring after I removed the 

 covering. My experience and 50 cents for one plant say let it 

 alone. 



The raspberry-strawberry is of no use, at least four years' 

 experience has not proved it of any value whatever. 



Something new : I wish to call the attention of the society to 

 something peculiar. For a few years I have found many rasp- 

 berry roots with enlargements, some as large as an egg, often 

 two or three on one plant. The old plantations taken up were 

 worse than plants of more recent setting. I am not able to tell 

 whether it is a fungus or what, nor do I know as it was a detri- 



