il6 Notes and Gleanings. 



improved varieties in a soil and climate so eminently adapted to fruit-growing 

 as the soil and climate of Missouri. It was found by me, if I recollect right, in 

 the summer of 1858, in a fence corner ; and as I was "surprised" by its large 

 size, juiciness, flavor, and great yield, I called it "Surprise." It is evidently a 

 chance seedling of our common Black-cap, which grows wild everywhere. It 

 resembles it in strong growth ; although the young canes hive but few and short 

 spines, and the leaves are generally somewhat more rough, and of a deeper 

 green. When ripened, the canes are bluish-purple, like our common Black- 

 cap. It also propagates from the ends of the young shoots, as all Black-caps, 

 but is rather more difficult to propagate. The fruit is borne on stiff, upright 

 branches, generally ten to twelve in a cluster at the end of the branch, with a few 

 single berries occasionally all along the branch. It is black with a blue bloom, 

 oblong or pointed, about the size of a Red Antwerp (I have had berries three- 

 fourths of an inch long by half an inch in diameter), more juicy than our common 

 Black-cap. and containing fewer seeds ; sweet ; parts readily from the cone ; and 

 is sufficiently tirm to carry well. The fruit ripens gradually, and every berry 

 generally attains full size. It is decidedly the most valuable of about twenty 

 varieties which I have ; as it has never failed to produce a good crop yet, without 

 protection or extra care. It is ripe here now (12th of June). I confess that I 

 have neglected this excellent berry too long : but small fruits are not my specialty; 

 and I was, perhaps, too careful not to add another fruit of no decided merit over 

 others to our already crowded lists. But a trial of ten years, and the good re- 

 ports which better authorities on the raspberry than I profess to be give of it, 

 have at last convinced me that it should be more generally known and cultivated. 

 If such men as A. S. Fuller, Samuel Miller, and Major Freas of " The German- 

 town Telegraph," speak well of it, I must take it for granted that my own good 

 opinion was well founded. 



Although I am now cultivating it for family-use, I have not, as yet, any plants 

 to sell, therefore no "axe to grind." But if you, Mr. Editor, or any of the 

 " shining lights of horticulture," wish to try it, a few plants are heartily at your 

 service; and I can only hope that you maybe "surprised" by it as I have 

 been. George Hitsniann. 



Hermann, Mo., June 12, 186S. 



[We are glad to hear so good an account of this raspberry ; and we should 

 like " to try it " on a small scale. Such a variety, requiring no protection, will 

 be of value. — Ed.'\ 



A Field for Labor. — I do not know that it is any new theorj^ that all 

 artificial modes of propagation for the purpose of continuing varieties are only 

 so many means of lessening hardiness in trees. It may not be from that cause 

 alone ; but observation has led me to the conclusion, that grafted or budded trees 

 of most if not all sorts of fruit are less hardy than those grown from the seed. 

 Seedlings of most fruits, of whatever variety and quality, seem to be better able 

 to withstand the changes and rigors of climate, and the incidents of weather, 

 than those grown by artificial means. What the cause of this may be I will 

 not now stop to inquire : it may or it may not be within the knowledge of man, 



