RASPBERRY (from rasp, OF. rasper, Fr. raper, from ML. rasparc, to serape. from OHG. rospon., to serape together (connected with Ger. rappen, to seize, Eng. rap) + berry; so called from the rough surface). Several species of the genus Rubus, of the natural order Rosaceec. The blaek-cap or black raspberry (Rubus oeeidentalis) is an American species with white flowers, and purplish-black fruits consisting of numerous drupes joined together. Since its introduction in 1832 it has become one of the most important of bush fruits and is extensively raised for dessert, canning, and evaporating. In nature the tips of recurved sterns of the present season's growth take root during midsummer and late autumn, and give rise to a new plant—a habit utilized in cultivation. In commercial plantations the plants arc set in rows 3 by S feet apart, given clean cul ture until time to put down the stern tips, when cultivation ceases. The first return, then, from a new raspberry patch is a crop of plants. The new shoots which spring up from the roots are cut back to 18 or 20 inches, when about that height. to induce the formation of fruit-bearing wood. As soon as the crop is gathered, the canes which have borne are cut away to increase the strength of the new wood which is to bear the following season's crop. The crop is usually picked by hand; many growers, however, use a simple device consisting of an apron with a shallow box attached. into which the ripe fruit is jarred. After the fruit is dried it is run through a fanning mill to separate any leaves or twigs which fell with the fruits into the pick ing box.
Two species of red raspberries are cultivated, the native American red raspberry (lluhus stri gosus) and the European (Rubies Idteus.) These two plants are closely related botanically, but differ under cultivation. a marked distinction
being the habit of the European species to con tinue fruiting throughout the season after ripen ing begins. This is a disadvantage to the com mercial grower, but an advantage to the ama teur. The European sorts are less hardy than the natives, and cannot be relied upon in the Northern States except in sheltered positions. The number of foreign varieties cultivated in the United States is comparatively small. Out of a total of 100 or more introductions not more than t3 or S have stood the test. Both forms of red raspberry propagate readily from sprouts and root cuttings. As a result of the habit of sprout ing, the patches soon present the character of a matted row, although they are usually planted 3 by 6 feet apart in original plantations. Thorough cultivation is necessary, not only for the pur pose of stimulating growth, but in order to hold the plants within bounds. The fruit of these species cannot be successfully gath ered by machinery and is never evaporated. Its chief use is for dessert purposes, although the fruit is also prized in wine-making, for jam, and for canning.
Another important group of raspberries seems to have resulted from the crossing of Rubus orei dentalis and Balms strigosus. In habit of growth the plant resembles the black raspberry more closely than the red, since it propagates by lips; has a firmer fruit than the red. with greater size and much better flavor than the black. For shipping it is much better than the red, and for dessert purposes superior to the black. Flower ing raspberry (Rubus oderatus) is often planted for ornament. See Plate of Rums.