The Canadian Horticulturist. 347 



The canes of the red raspberry {Rubus strigosus) do not attain such 

 great length as those of the black-cap type, and so do not, as a rule, need 

 pinching in summer. When vigorous growing varieties like the Cuthbert 

 are planted in rich soil the canes sometimes attain an inconvenient height. 

 In such cases they may be pinched like those of the black-caps, but the 

 pinching will tend to stimulate the growth of suckers, an evil which needs 

 no encouragement, because it is apt to be excessive in rich soils even with- 

 out the pinching. It would probably be wiser to substitute a weaker 

 growing variety, or else to remove the plantation to poorer soil. 



The reasons given for pruning the black-cap type of raspberries will 

 apply as well to the blackberry. — E. S. Goff, in Garden and Forest. 



PERFECT AND IMPERFECT STRAWBERRIES COMPARED. 



THOSE varieties of strawberries that produce pollen and berries also are at 

 a disadvantage as compared with those that produce berries only. Divi- 

 sion of labor counts here as elsewhere. Give a plant nothing to do but to 

 grow and bear fruit and the work will be better done than if an additional task 

 is imposed. To produce pollen taxes the energies of the plant much more than 

 is commonly supposed. Many growers think it would be desirable to have varie- 

 ties with perfect blossoms only to save the trouble of planting the two classes. 

 Theory disproves this plan, and careful observations show that, in general, the 

 most prolific sorts are those that have imperfect flowers. 



There is more truth in the above now than there was a generation ago, when 

 the Wilson was in its prime. 



It should be understood that these statements refer to the leading varieties that 

 are most generally grown. There are some apparent exceptions even with these, 

 and still more if all known varieties are included. Concerning the varieties that 

 are worth considering, the general statements made above will hold good. These 

 generalizations are not only useful in determining the value of varieties in a com- 

 paratively short time, but may also serve as guides in future work. Much valu- 

 able time has been lost because these principles have been ignored. — 0/iw Ex- 

 perimental Station. 



WINTER WORK FOR THE HORTICULTURIST. 



^ ( T OOKING ahead a good way ? " Yes ; but is not that the way to keep 

 I ^ things running smoothly and profitably? How many manufacturers 

 could afford to " shut down " or discharge a large portion or all of their 

 help on the advent of winter, and remain dormant until thawed out by April's 

 sun ? But this is what too many horticulturists do. Hauling manure is one of 

 the jobs that are nearly always in order. My own practice in most cases has 



