FBUITS VARIETIES AND CULTURE. 633 



Chinese Quince (Cydonia Sinensis). — Leaves resemble 

 those of the common quince in form, but have a glossy 

 surface; the flowers are rose-colored, with a delicate 

 fragrance, similar to that of the violet. The fruit is very 

 large, oblong, and somewhat ribbed like a muskmelon; 

 skin golden yellow; flesh hard and acrid, but is said to 

 make a desirable preserve. A very beautiful shrub when 

 in fruit. 



THE RASPBERRY.— (Rubus.) 



The Raspberry is a low, deciduous shrub, of which sev- 

 eral species are common along the fences, both in Europe 

 and America. The large-fruited varieties most esteemed 

 in our gardens all originated from the long cultivated 

 Rubus Idoeus, or Mount Ida Bramble, which appears first 

 to have been introduced into the gardens of the south of 

 Europe from Mount Ida. It is now quite naturalized in 

 some parts of the country. Besides this we have growing 

 wild the common black aud white raspberry, or Thimble- 

 berries (Rubus occidentalis), and the red raspberry (Rubus 

 strigosus), with very good fruit. 



Uses. — The raspberry is held in general estimation, not 

 only as one of the most refreshing and agreeable fruits 

 for the dessert, but it is employed generally for pre- 

 serving, jams, ices, sauces, tarts and jellies; and on a 

 larger scale by confectioners for making syrups, and by 

 distillers for making brandy. Raspberry wine is made 

 in the same way as currant wine, and is considered the 

 most fragrant of all domestic wines. 



Pro pa [jatum. — The raspberry is propagated by suckers 

 or by dividing the roots. The seeds are planted only when 

 new varieties are desired. 



Soil and Culture. — The best soil is a rich, deep loam, 

 rather moist than dry, provided it is not too much ex 

 posed to our hot Southern sun. The raspberry succeeds 



