252 HORTICULTURAL MANUAL. 



our American red species and the purple-cane class. For 

 horticultural purposes it is best to divide the varieties into 

 the following classes : 



(1) The black-cap varieties. 



(2) Purple-cane varieties. 



(3) The American red varieties. 



(4) The European red varieties. 



242. The Black-cap Family (Rubus occidentalis). A 

 distinguishing characteristic of this class is that it does 

 not sprout from the roots, but is propagated from the tips 

 of the young canes. As found native in nearly all parts 

 of the Union it is exceedingly variable in habit and fruit. 

 Nearly all cultivated varieties are selections from the local 

 types, as distributed by the birds in corners and waste 

 places. The fruit is not always black. In many localities 

 varieties are found with yellow fruit, and such red or scarlet 

 varieties as Ellisdale and Shaffer, that only root from the 

 tips of growth, are usually classed by growers with the 

 black caps, but botanically they are classed with the 

 purple-cane species (Rubus neglectus). 



243. Propagation and Transplanting. The canes of the 

 varieties that root from the tip are strong and stocky at 

 the base, but slender at the tops, which droop over to the 

 earth in late summer. If the ground is mellow, and the 

 canes are not swayed by the wind, they will root without 

 aid.. But where plants are desired it is far more certain 

 to peg down the points when they enlarge and change 

 color and cover with some earth pressed down quite firmly. 

 If covered without pegging the winds often sway and draw 

 them from the covering. It is customary to leave the 

 rooted tips undisturbed until wanted for spring planting. 

 If taken up the fibrous mass of roots, shown in Fig. 77, 

 are not easy to care for unless at once planted where they 



