JAPAN RASPBERRIES. li 



JAPAN RASPBERRIES. 



A Raspberry which Ripens its Fruit Before 

 Strawberries. 



The earliest Raspberry known. The berries are of a 

 golden straw color, as large as Cuthbert, and ripen 

 here in April, a month before Hansel I, before straw- 

 berries, and before the earliest of the standard Rasp- 

 berries of the past have hardly awakened from their 

 winter rest. The bushes are distinct from all others, 

 growing like trees, 6 to 8 feet high, with spreading 

 tops; and all along the branches large, white, well- 

 shaped blossoms are pendant, which are soon followed 

 by the great, sweet, glossy, golden, semi-translucent 

 berries. The plants when well established, will sur- 

 prise one with their abundance of fruit. The history 

 of this variety is as follows: "Some ten years ago I 

 instructed my collector in Japan to hunt up the best 

 wild Raspberries, Blackberries and Strawberries that 

 could be found. Several curious species were received 

 the next season, and among them a red and also a 

 dingy yellow, unproductive variety of Rubus palma- 

 tus. One of these plants, though bearing only a few of 

 the most worthless, tastless, dingy berries I have ever 

 seen, was selected solely on account of its unusual earli- 

 ness, to cross with Cuthbert and other well-known 

 Raspberries. Among the seedlings raised from this 

 plant was this one, and though no signs of the Cuthbert 

 appear, yet it can hardly be doubted that Cuthbert 

 pollen has affected some of the wonderful improve- 

 ments to be seen in this new variety." The preceding 

 is the description of Mr. Luther Burbank, the origina- 

 tor. It is a most novel fruit in every way — the foliage 

 and habit being totally different from any other rasp- 

 berry in cultivation. Un like other raspberries' it forms 

 a shrub-like bush that does not die down, but continues 

 to produce fruit indefinitely, after the manner of cur- 

 rants and gooseberries. The original stock consisting 

 of six large plants and forty-eight small ones was sold 

 for $800.00. When first offered to the public two years 

 ago it sold for $5.00 per plant. 



This and the Strawberry- Raspberry, also from Japan 

 and offered on another page, are the most unique, in- 

 teresting and remarkable fruits that have been offered 

 ina long time. Ea., 25c; 3for 60c; doz., $2.00, 100, $15.00. 



SPECIAL OFFER. — For $1.25 we will send a 

 strong plant each of Golden Mayberry and Straw- 

 berry-Raspberry ; for $1.75, three plants of each ; for 

 $3.00, six plants of each. All by mail if desired. 



WINEBERRY. 



There is nothing but praise for this interesting plant 

 and it pleases no less in its ornamental character than 

 for its beautiful fruit. It is a large, robust grower, 

 perfectly hardy and enormously prolific ; and the canes 

 are thickly covered with purplish-red hairs, which ex- 

 tend along the stem to its extremity. The leaves are 

 large, tough, dark green above, and silvery-gray be- 

 neath. The fruit is borne in large clusters, and each 

 berry is at first tightly enveloped by the large calyx, 

 forming a sort of burr, which is also covered with pur- 

 plish-red hairs so thickly as to present the appearance 

 of moss rose buds. These gradually open and turn 

 back, exposing the fruit in all its beauty. The berries 

 are of a beautiful, translucent appearance, running 

 through all the shades of amber to crimson as they 

 ripen. There is a freshness and brilliancy about them 

 impossible to describe, and we know of nothing in the 

 way of raspberries so attractive. In quality it is quite 

 distinct, but a decided brisk sub-acid. When cooked it 

 is grand, retaining its rich and sprightly flavor, and 

 surpassing when canned or preserved even the Huckle- 

 berry. For jelly making it is without an equal. From 

 it a most delicious aad healthful wine can be made 

 with the utmost ease, after the manner of currant wine. 

 It begins ripening in July, the berries are produced in 

 great abundance, and it continues in bearing for a long 

 time. It is proving extremely profitable as a market 

 fruit with some growers, owing to its enormous yield 

 and its rea.dy sale at high prices in market. Grows 

 readily from seed. Doz., 50c; 100, $2.00; 1000, $15.00. 

 Transplanted plants, (too large to mail), doz., 75c; 100, 

 $3.00; 1000, $20.00. Seed, 15c. per pkt; 2 pkts. for 25c. 



