CHAPTER V. 



THE RASPBERRY. 



THE wide and favorable consideration given to 

 small fruits clearly marks one of the changes 

 in the world's history. This change may seem 

 trifling indeed to the dignified chroniclers of kings 

 and queens and others of high descent, great de- 

 scent, it may be added, remembering the moral 

 depths attained; but to those who care for the 

 welfare of the people, it is a mutation of no slight 

 interest. I am glad to think, as has been shown 

 in a recent novel, that Lucrezia Borgia was not so 

 black as she has been painted ; yet in the early days 

 of June and July, when strawberries and raspberries 

 are ripening, I fancy that most of us can dismiss 

 her and her kin from mind as we observe Nature's 

 alchemy in our gardens. When we think of the 

 luscious, health-imparting fruits which will grace 

 millions of tables, and remember that until recent 

 years they were conspicuous only by their absence, 

 we may not slightingly estimate a great change for 

 the better. Once these fruits were wildings which 

 the vast majority of our forefathers shared sparingly 



