THE RASPBERRY AND BLACKBERRY. 255 



245. American Red Varieties (Rubus strigosus), The 

 wild red raspberry of the United States is widely dis- 

 tributed and its fruit, as found wild, often approaches 

 closely in quality the European red species (Rubus idceus). 

 As it seems to have naturally crossed with the black-cap 

 species, and crosses readily with the European red 

 varieties, it is singular that as yet no attempt has been 

 made to improve this valuable species except by selection 

 and cultivation, and we have no evidence of its crossing 

 with other species, except naturally with the black caps. 

 Yet it is quite possible from what we know of their history 

 that Giich choice varieties as Cuthbert and Turner are 

 hybrids, with the added quality and size of the European 

 varieties. 



246. Propagation and Transplanting. The American 

 red varieties and the sprouting purple canes are propagated 

 by sprouts and root-cuttings. Nearly all the varieties 

 sprout so freely that a resort to other methods is not 

 needed. But the Philadelphia and some other sorts 

 sprout more sparingly and are often grown from root- 

 cuttings (50). In some cases also propagators thrust a 

 'spade down in a circle around the plant about eight 

 inches from the centre, which increases the sprouting very 

 materially. Transplanting, in rows for fruiting the suckers 

 of the reds and sprouting purple canes, can be done easily 

 and rapidly, as they start from the cut-back top like a 

 small shrub. Plant firmly at the depth they stood before 

 taking up and cut back the tops to near the ground sur- 

 face of the hills or stools. The first cultivation of spring 

 may be with a small turning-plow, but all after culture 

 should be with the cultivator, taking care to keep the 

 general surface about level. The hoe must also be used 

 between the stools. 



