XXXI. SMALL FRUIT CROPS 



Berries. The berries include the raspberry, blackberry, straw- 

 berry, cranberry, and dewberry. To this list might be added the 

 coffee berry, from which we obtain the bean or seed known as the 

 coffee of commerce, and the cacao fruit, from the seeds or beans 

 of which are obtained the cocoa and chocolate of commerce. 

 The last two plants named have not yet been successfully grown 

 in the United States, but the products of these plants are in such 

 general use in this country that some mention should be made 

 of them. 



The Raspberry. As a rule, raspberries thrive the best in a 

 moist and fertile loam. They are grown more extensively in the 

 northeast part of the United States than elsewhere. There are 

 two principal varieties: the red raspberry, which is soft and 

 unsuitable for shipping, and the black raspberry, which has a 

 tougher texture and can be shipped 

 without difficulty. Waste space 

 along the fence or ravines may be 

 utilized for the raspberry patch. 

 In order to secure good results re- 

 move all the dead stalks each fall, 

 and keep the ground well culti- 

 vated and well manured. 



The blackberry, like the rasp- 

 berry, is a native American plant, 

 and in its wild state it has been 



.. . The Lucretia Dewberry. 



known and prized for a long time. 



Under cultivation and careful selection this plant has steadily 

 improved and is now one of our most important crops. Many 

 new and valuable varieties of the cultivated species have been 

 originated, and are now extensively grown in nearly every part 

 of the United States. Its fruit is utilized in commerce in mak- 

 ing wine, cordial, jelly, jam, and preserves. 



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