SMALL FRUITS. 81 



that he preferred cultivation in hills as the berries were of better 

 quality than those grown by the matted system. The INIarshall 

 does not do as well as some other varieties, but it is splendid for pot 

 culture. The Senator Dunlap does better. 



Raspberries should be protected during the winter by covering 

 with any kind of coarse litter. He thought the Cuthbert the best 

 variety, but the Columbian was also good. Gooseberries do not 

 appear to be very popular in America. The skins are too thin and 

 do not stand our hot sun. Of varieties, the Industry and Colum- 

 bus do best. In currants, if he could plant only one variety it 

 would be La Versaillaise. Black currants are not as popular here 

 as in Europe where they bring high prices. The taste for them 

 has to be acquired but it improves on acquaintance. 



He noticed that Mr. Wheeler had not mentioned the strawberry- 

 raspberry which is often shown at our exhibitions. It has some 

 uses as an ornamental shrub but is hard to keep from spreading 

 overmuch, and the fruit, although handsome to look upon, is worth- 

 less. Mr. Craig thought small fruit culture was a minor factor in 

 New England and must remain so. 



Mr. Richards condemned the system of fall planting of straw- 

 berries; he had never had any success with that method. It was 

 the last thing he should think of, setting out plants in the fall. 



Mr. Wheeler recommended spring planting for commercial 

 growers and fall planting for amateurs. 



John Ward remarked that the Marshall cannot be grown around 

 here at a profit; one gets a few good berries but no large crop. It 

 is an uncertain berry and in three years out of four will fail. The 

 Sample would produce four times as much. He advised young, 

 strong plants for fall planting. 



Mr. Warren said that the fall planting of strawberries was not 

 very well understood. He practised fall planting for he got a better 

 established bed for the following season. For amateurs he would 

 advise setting out pot-grown plants in August. The demand for 

 pot-grown plants had increased enormously in recent years. The 

 plants should be taken from beds which had never fruited; and it 

 was a mistake to take plants from an old bed. 



Mr. Wheeler said that the subject of the forcing of small fruits 

 had not been introduced but raspberries could be fruited under 



