53 



the vigor of the variety. Where many suckers are grown, the 

 best results in fruit cannot be obtained. 



When a plantation begins to fail, higher manuring will rein- 

 vigorate it. Wood-ashes and muck are excellent stimulants. 

 Mulching even on a large scale, where leaves or marsh hay is 

 abundant, will often pay well, and help the plants greatly. Fields 

 can also be renewed by letting suckers stand between the rows, 

 and digging out the old plants. But after a time it will become 

 evident that the land is exhausted of raspberry food and new 

 plantings should be made elsewhere. 



If blackcaps are to be plowed both ways, the stools should be 

 five feet apart, but if the cultivator is to run only one way, let 

 the rows be six feet apart, and the plants three feet in the row. 

 If black raspberries are planted six feet by three, 2,400 will be 

 required for an acre ; if six by four feet, 1,742. 



Varieties. 



In the following partial list I have merely named those that 

 are now more or less in favor. 



Hudson River Antwerp.— Heretofore the great market berry 

 upon the west side of the North river. It is very large, firm, 

 somewhat dry, musky in flavor, early, and continues long in 

 bearing. Where it can be grown it is the best of the foreign 

 varieties. It has declined in vigor greatly for several yenrs, suf- 

 fering much from mildew, and general debility, not ripening its 

 wood. It is therefore being superceded by other kinds in its old 

 haunts, especially by the Highland Hardy. But I think it can 

 still be grown profitably on new, rich, moist, but well drained 

 soil. It once yielded enormous crops and brought its growers a 

 great deal of money. It must be well covered with earth before 

 severe frosts. 



FranCOnia. — Perhaps the best and hardiest of the foreign 

 varieties, but requiring winter protection. The berry is large, 

 roundish, of good flavor and firm enough for market. • It con- 



