Black- Cap and Purple Cane Raspberries. 189 



Latest in ripening is the Mammoth Cluster, or McCormick, which, 

 thus far, has been my favorite. It is even more vigorous than the 

 preceding, but not so briery or branching. The fruit is produced usually 

 in a thick cluster or bunch at the end of the branch, and they ripen more 

 together than the other kinds. The caps, too, are much larger, more 

 juicy and fine-flavored. One is less conscious of the seeds. Between 

 the thumb and finger you can often gather a handful from a single spray, 

 it is so prodigiously productive. Thus far, it has been unsurpassed, either 

 for home use or market ; but now it is encountering a rival in the 



Gregg, a new variety, that is attracting much attention. Its history, 

 as far as I have been able to learn it, is as follows : 



In the latter part of June, 1866, this black raspberry was found 

 growing wild in a ravine on the Gregg farm, which is located in Ohio 

 Co., Indiana. The original bush "was bending under the weight of 

 colossal- sized clusters. It was then a single clump, surrounded by a few 

 young plants growing from its tips. Before introducing it to the public, 

 we gave it a most thorough and complete trial. We have put it on the 

 tables of some of the most prominent horticultural societies, and by each 

 it has been voted the highest rank in their fruit lists. At the Centennial 

 Exposition, at Philadelphia, in competition with all the prominent varieties 

 in the world, it was ranked highest by the judges. During eleven years 

 of observation it has survived the coldest winters, and never failed to 

 yield an abundant crop. It is a vigorous, rapid grower, producing strong, 

 well-matured canes by fall. The fruit is beautiful in appearance, delicious, 

 possessing excellent shipping and keeping qualities." 



The above is a mild and condensed statement of its claims, as set 

 forth by Messrs. R. & P. Gregg, proprietors of the Gregg farm, and I 

 believe these gentlemen have given a correct account of their experience. 

 As the result of much inquiry, it would appear that this variety is also 

 doing well throughout the country at large. 



Mr. N. Ohmer, who has been most prominent in introducing the 

 Gregg, gives the following account of his first acquaintance with it : " At 

 a meeting of the Indiana State Horticultural Society, held at Indianapolis, 

 a gentleman asked for the privilege of making some remarks about a new 

 black raspberry that he was cultivating. Being pretty long-winded, as 

 most lawyers are, he spoke so long, and said so much in favor of his 

 berry, that no one believed him, and were glad when he got through. 

 The summer following, I chanced to call on the Secretary of the Indiana 

 State Board of Agriculture, in the Capitol building, and was surprised 

 to see on his table about half a peck of berries and an armful of canes 



