BOTANICAL CHARACTERS 185 



objection to the red raspberry as a market fruit is its 

 long bearing season, necessitating so many pickings to 

 secure the crop. The American sorts have the advan- 

 tage in this regard, although even they ripen too 

 unevenly. They are hardier, and usually have some- 

 what more slender canes. 



Two species are included in the true red raspberries 

 of cultivation, the European red raspberry, Rubus 

 Idceus, and the American red, Rubus strigosus. Though 

 similar in general appearance and in their botanical 

 characters, there are essential points of difference. 

 For the strictly botanical differences, the reader is 

 referred to the description of the two species. It 

 may be said, however, that, in general, the European 

 plant is rather stouter and less free in its habit of 

 growth, the leaves are a little whiter beneath, thicker, 

 and generally somewhat wrinkled, and the canes are 

 light colored, bearing purple prickles in some varieties. 

 The prickles on the finer parts are firmer, recurved and 

 less numerous. 



The horticultural differences are more marked than 

 the botanical differences, the chief one being the habit 

 of the European raspberry to continue bearing more or 

 less throughout the greater portion of the season after 

 ripening begins. This is a feature which, while it may 

 be desirable in a home berry, is a disadvantage in a 

 market berry. Another important point of difference 

 between the two species is in hardiness. Few, if any 

 of the European varieties can be depended upon to 

 endure our winters, except in the most favorable locali- 

 ties, without protection, and even then they are un- 



