THE BIOLOGICAL REVIEW. 39 



In the typical form of R. canadensis, the canes trail on the 

 ground ; they are often ten feet long, of a uniform diameter of 

 about J inch, and armed with short, weak prickles. This form 

 does not flower very profusely, and many of the flowers are 

 infertile or produce " nubbins." 



But there is a form, a variety of this species, common on 

 sandy situations around Toronto, not trailing, more upright 

 than the typical form, but reclining and curving more than R. 

 villosus ; it comes in between the two, and is considered by 

 many to be a natural hybrid between them. Of course this is 

 mere conjecture, and we may safely say that the origin of the 

 form is unknown. 



It is of this form I wish more especially to speak, and to 

 recommend it to fruit-growers as a variety suitable for culti- 

 vation, or at all events well worth a trial. It most probably 

 was a form very similar to this, which, in the Western States, 

 gave origin to the cultivated varieties, the Windom and the 

 Lucretia. 



Around Toronto it is quite hardy, would not require any 

 winter protection, thrives on very barren soil. It yields more 

 abundantly than R. villosus, especially when a little shaded, or 

 when growing on a hill-side sloping to the north ; the fruit is 

 more spherical, firmer, and better flavored, and there is not so 

 much tendency to " nubbins." 



There are over twenty varieties of R. villosus known to fruit- 

 growers ; a few of these have been in cultivation for half a cen- 

 tury, but most of them have originated within the last twenty 

 years. 



From R. canadensis some six or more varieties have been 

 tried with more or less success, and all are of quite recent 

 origin. 



Of the cultivated varieties of the Dewberry, it has been said 

 by a competent authority, " The peculiar merits of the Dew- 

 berries, as cultivated fruits, are earliness and attractive appear- 

 ance, and the ease with which they can be protected in winter." 

 " The peculiar demerits of the Dewberries are the failure of the 

 flowers to set, the formation of nubbins, and the difficulty of 

 picking the fruit." 



