RASPBERRY. Rub.us. Our native raspber ries are the Thimble Berry or Black Cap, (Rubus occideatalis), and the Red raspberry (R. strigosus). The raspberry is common in some of its forms in nearly every part of Europe and the United States. The variety from which the principal European sorts have their origin, is Rubus Idtrus, said originally to have been introduced into the gardens of the south of Europe from Mount Ida, hence its name. The five varieties most exten sively cultivated throughout the T.Tnited States are the Mammoth Cluster, the Orange, the Phila delphia, Purple Cane, and American Black. In the West, the Turner is now the favorite for hardiness and prolific bearing, added to fairly good quality. The cultivation of the raspberry is simple. Plant in rows five feet apart by three and one-half feet in the row, in rich, rather moist (not wet) soil. When the plants are three feet high pinch out the tip to make them more stocky. Give clean cultivation, eradicat ing all suckers, and do not allow those sorts which propagate from the tips to take root. Where the climate is very cold the more tender varieties will need protection, and the more slender sorts must be tied to stakes. It is, prob ably, its sturdy nature and hardy character that makes it a favorite, since in quality it is below the Mammoth Cluster, and far inferior to such delicate sorts as Knevet's Giant, Imperial Red, and Orange. On page 783 we have illus
trated one of the old and, for market, still largely cultivated varieties, Doolittle's Black Cap. It is of small size, but quite hardy, endur ing the winters well North, and firm enough to carry long distances. On page 784 is shown the Herstine, a berry of the largest size, obtuse in form, a red berry of excellent quality, but not sufficiently firm for carrying by railway. It is also tender, as, indeed, are all first-class berries. Where protected, however, and the proper con ditions for growth and health are present, it is valuable as a fine-flavored, prolific, and large berry. Nevertheless, neither of these cuts are given as showing the best sorts of either black or red raspberries, but as types of each. Soil, climate and situation have so much to do with success and failure in small fruits that the farmer had better take the advice of some respectable nurseryman (not a mere tree pedlar), as to varieties that will probably do well in his locality.