400 ELEMENTARY STUDIES IN BOTANY 



our most important commercial raspberries, for they are 

 easily cultivated, are hardy and productive, and are better 

 for market handling. The black raspberries are propagated 

 by cuttings obtained by layering, a process already described 

 (p. 329) ; while red raspberries develop numerous suckers 

 from the roots which are often used as cuttings. 



107. Currant and gooseberry. These are two of our 

 hardiest bush fruits, that are propagated by cuttings, layer- 

 ing, and root cuttings. They are more intensively culti- 

 vated in England than in the United States, the English 

 gooseberries being highly cultivated and used as a table fruit 

 in a way that is impossible with their American relatives. 



108. Suggestions for work. The fruits mentioned in 

 this chapter are in such common use and so easily recognized 

 that there is no need for exercises in distinguishing them, but 

 there are four useful things that should be done if possible. 



1. The various fruits should be sectioned and their struc- 

 ture examined, noting the variations that occur, especially 

 in the amount of fruit pulp. 



2. The home markets should be visited and inquiries made 

 as to the sources of the fruit displayed. This will develop 

 some knowledge of the regions from which various fruits come 

 at different seasons, and will also fix the seasons when the dif- 

 ferent fruits may be expected and when they are at their best. 



3. The names of the most common varieties should be 

 learned. For example, the prominent apples and pears 

 should be known by name and recognized at sight. 



4. If the neighborhood permits it, orchards, and even 

 dooryards and gardens, should be visited to see the various 

 fruit-bearing plants in cultivation. This will fix in mind 

 the general habit of the plants, their appearance in cultiva- 

 tion, and will probably enable the student to contrast proper 

 and improper methods of cultivation. 



