1869.] secretary's report. 31 



within our hall. It is true that the character of the season was such as to re- 

 quire the latter to be exhibited when the former were ahnost past their prime. 

 Neverthless, such was the abundance, and so great the number of varieties of 

 the strawberry, thanks mainly to two contributors, that the partial inferiority 

 of the Horal department elicited but trivial criticism. The zeal that is now 

 manifested in procuring new varieties, and the competition that exists in the 

 production of this delicious fruit, amply justify our confidence iu a larger and 

 finer display during the summer of the coming year. 



More interest also appears to be awakened in the growth of those other small 

 fruits which, maturing after the strawberry, assists so essentially in completing 

 a full supply throughout the season. With the application of white hellebore 

 has quickly and thoroughly disappeared all apprehension of permanent injury 

 or peril to the currant. The raspberry has suffered some harm during the warm 

 months, from a species of worm so minute as to be almost invisible, but yet 

 possessing a capacity for the consumption of foliage infinitely out of propor- 

 tion to its^size. In regard to the raspberry, a wide difference of opinion seems 

 to exist among cultivators, as to the comparative fruitful ness of different varie- 

 ties. Thus John J. Thomas asserts that Brinckle's Orange, in central and 

 western New York, is a shy bearer and insipid in quality when compared with 

 such sorts as Clarke and Naomi. On the other hand, Mr. Parry, of Cinnamin- 

 son, New Jersey, is enthusiastic over a yield of the Philadelphia so prodigious 

 that it cannot be gathered. Your Secretary, as is known to many of you, has 

 devoted the most of his attention and space to the culture of this especial fruit. 

 And it may serve for the gratification of curiosity, should it answer no more 

 useful purpose, to put upon record in this report, some facts which were gathered 

 for his own guidance and instruction. He has but 2631 square feet of land 

 applicable and employed in the production of raspberries. Of this space, 25:^4 

 feet ought to be left out of account, as the stools of Knevett's Giant, thereon 

 planted", are quite young and immature. But from the entire plot, without de- 

 duction, were gathered three quarts in excess of seven and one-half bushels— 

 2^^ feet yielded five quarts of Knevett's Giant; 405 feet, thirty quarts of the 

 Philadelphia; 399 feet, one bushel and two quarts of Franconia; and 1573i 

 feet were fragrant with the rich aroma of five bushels, one peck, and six and a 

 half quarts of Brinckle's Orange. Yet it is not to be supposed that the culti- 

 vation of the raspberry involves all income and no outlay. None of the small 

 fruits, so called, are so impatient of neglect, or require such quantities of ma- 

 nure. It may indeed be asserted with safety that the capacity of absorbing 

 fertilizers, so long and erroneously ascribed to the grape, does actually illustrate 

 the nature and wants of the raspberry. Moreover its canes must be protected 

 in winter. Your Secretary does not believe in the existence of a solitary variety, 

 worlhi/ of cuUivaHou, that will endure the frosts of our climate uncovered, and 

 continue fertile, even if it can maintain its vitality. And this opinion is based 



