THE RASPBERRIES OF THE FUTURE
We now come to a class that are destined, I think, to be the
raspberries of the future, or, at least, a type of them. I refer to the
seedlings of the three original species that have been described. As a
rule (having exceptions of course), these native seedling varieties are
comparatively hardy, and adapted to the climate of America. This
adaptation applies to the South in the proportion that they possess the
qualities of the _Rubus Strigosus_ or _Occidentalis_. To the degree
that the foreign element of _R. Idoeus_ exists, they will, with a few
exceptions, require winter protection, and will be unable to thrive in
light soils and under hot suns. Forgetfulness of this principle is
often the cause of much misapprehension and undiscriminating censure. I
have known certain New Jersey fruit growers to condemn a variety
unsparingly. Would it not be more sensible to say it belongs to the _R.
Idoeus_ class, and, therefore, is not adapted to our climate and light
soil, but in higher latitudes and on heavy land it may prove one of the
best?
It should here be premised that these seedlings originated in this
country. Perhaps they are the product solely of our native species, or
they may result from crossing varieties of _R. Idoeus_, in which case
they will exhibit the characteristics of the foreign species; or,
finally, from the foreign and our native species may be produced a
hybrid that will combine traits of each line of its lineage. A
conspicuous example of the second statement may be seen in Brinkle's
Orange, originated by Dr. Brinkle many years ago. It is essentially an
Antwerp in character, and yet it is more vigorous, and adapted to a
wider range of country than the Antwerp. The berry is of a beautiful
buff color, and its delicious flavor is the accepted standard of
excellence. At the same time, it is well known that it will not thrive
under hot suns or upon light land. It can be raised south of New York
only in cool, moist soils, and in half-shady locations; but at the
North, where the conditions of growth are favorable, it produces strong
branching canes, covered with white spines, and is exceedingly
productive of large, light-colored berries that melt on the tongue.
There is the same difference between it and the Brandywine that exists
between Stowell's Evergreen and flint field corn. It invariably
requires winter protection.
The Pride of the Hudson possesses the same general character as the
Orange, and approaches it very nearly in excellence. It certainly is
the largest, most beautiful red raspberry now before the public; but in
its later development it has shown such sensitiveness to both heat and
cold that I cannot recommend it for general cultivation. Give it a
moist soil and a half-shady location, such as may be found on the
northern side of a fence or hedge, and it will become the pride of any
northern garden; but in the South, and on light soils, it can scarcely
live. It should have winter protection.
In contrast with these native berries of foreign parentage, we have the
Herstine; Mr. B. K. Bliss, the well-known seedsman of New York City,
kindly furnishes me the following facts of its history: "About ten
years since I was invited, with several gentlemen (mostly
horticulturists), to visit the late Mr. Herstine, at Philadelphia. We
were to examine a lot of seedling raspberries, and select names for
those that we thought worthy of general cultivation. We found quite a
company there from the vicinity of Philadelphia and from Washington,
while New York was represented by such eminent authorities as Dr.
Thurber and A. S. Fuller. The raspberry bushes were completely loaded
with large fine fruit--the finest I ever saw. Each variety was
carefully examined, and the guests voted as to which, in his opinion,
was the best. The Herstine stood first and the Saunders second. Mr.
Herstine explained that they were raised from the Allen raspberry,
which had been planted in alternate rows with the Philadelphia." This
parentage would make it a hybrid of the _R. Strigosus_ and the purple
cane branch of the _R. Occidentalis_ species; but the plant and fruit
indicate the presence, also, of the _R. Ideous_ element. After several
years' experience on my own place, I regard it as the best early
raspberry in existence. The berry is large, obtusely conical, bright
red, and delicious in flavor. It is scarcely firm enough for market
where it must be sent any great distance, but if picked promptly after
it reddens, and packed in a cool, airy place, it carries well and
brings good prices. The canes are strong, red, stocky, and covered with
spines. They are but half-hardy, and I think it is best to cover them
before the first of December, in our latitude. The canes of the
Saunders, also sent out by Mr. Herstine, are much darker in color, and
not so vigorous, but sufficiently so. The berries are large, ripen
later, are more globular, and are of the same excellent quality. It
deserves greater popularity than it has received. It is, also, only
half-hardy.
In the Clarke, we undoubtedly have a variety containing considerable of
the _R. Idoeus_ element. The berries are often very large, bright
crimson, conical, with large, hairy grains. Occasionally, the fruit on
my vines was very imperfect, and crumbled badly in picking. I found
that by cutting the canes rigorously back--even one-half--I obtained
much larger and more perfect berries, and in increased quantities. The
canes are very strong, upright growers, ending usually in a thick tuft
of foliage, rather than in long, drooping tips. It was originated by
Mr. E. E. Clarke, of New Haven, Conn., and is but half-hardy.
In the New Rochelle, we have a hybrid of the black-cap and red
raspberry, the _R. Occidentalis_ element predominating, and manifesting
itself in the stocky and branching character of the canes, and in the
fact that they propagate themselves by tips, and not suckers. The New
Rochelle, originated by Mr. E. W. Carpenter, of Rye, N.Y., is perhaps
the best of this class. It is very vigorous, hardy, and enormously
productive, and the fruit is of good size. I do not like its sharp
acid, however, and its dun or dusky-brown color will probably prevent
it from becoming a favorite in market, since bright-hued berries are
justly much preferred.
But Mr. Carpenter has sent out another seedling which, I think, is
destined to have a brilliant future--the Caroline, It is thought to be
a cross between the Catawissa and Brinkle's Orange. The canes are
perfectly hardy, very strong, vigorous, branching, light-red, with a
lighter bloom upon them here and there. It suckers freely, and also
propagates itself sparingly from the tips. The fruit is exceedingly
abundant and is a round cap of a beautiful buff color, almost equalling
Brinkle's Orange in flavor. I think it will grow anywhere, and thus
will find a place in innumerable gardens where the Orange does not
thrive. At the same time, it is good enough for any garden.
The Ganargua was said to be a hybrid, but Mr. J. J. Thomas writes to
me: "I have never been able to discover proof that it is one. I think
it all _R. Occidentalis_--a variety."
The Reliance, a seedling of the Philadelphia, but far superior to it,
is doing remarkably well on my place, and I hear favorable accounts
from other localities.
There are many others that are either old and passing into obscurity or
else so new and dubious in character that limited space forbids their
mention. We will close this sketch of varieties with the Cuthbert,
which that experienced and careful horticulturist, Dr. Hexamer, calls
the "best raspberry now in existence."
This is a chance seedling, which the late Thomas Cuthbert found in his
garden, at Riverdale, N.Y. His son has kindly furnished the following
facts:
"The raspberry in question was discovered by my father about eleven
years ago in the garden of our country seat at Riverdale-on-the-Hudson.
It is probably a seedling of the Hudson River Antwerp, as it was found
growing near the edge of a patch of that variety, but its great vigor
of growth and the size and quality of the fruit marked it at once as a
new and distinct kind. Its canes were carefully separated from the
others and a small plantation made of them. The next year, and from
time to time since, plants were given to our friends in various parts
of the State for trial. Without exception, their reports have been
favorable, particular mention having been made of their unusual vigor
of growth, their hardiness, and the firmness and good keeping qualities
of the fruit. The first year or so we gave the canes winter protection,
but finding that it was unnecessary, we have discontinued it, and I
have never heard of the canes being winter-killed."
From other sources I learn that Mr. Cuthbert made an arrangement with a
nurseryman by the name of Thompson, to propagate and send out the
variety. This gentleman dying soon after, the stock came into the
possession of Mr. H. J. Corson, of Staten Island, N.Y., and by him and
Mr. I. J. Simonson, a florist, the plants have been sent out to
different parts of the country. This dissemination was very limited,
and was characterized by an almost utter absence of heralding and
extravagant praise. The berry has literally made its way on its own
merits. Dr. Hexamer remarked to me that he had had it for years, and
had wondered why its merits were so overlooked. My attention was called
to it in the summer of 1878, and I took pains to see it in several
localities. The large size of the berries, their firmness and fine
flavor, convinced me that it was very valuable, and the fact that I
found it flourishing luxuriantly on New Jersey sand, and maintaining a
perfectly healthful foliage under an August sun, led me to believe that
we had at last found a first-class variety that would thrive on light
soils and under hot suns.
The late W. C. Bryant, the poet, himself well versed in horticulture,
closed a letter to me with the following words:
"It has always seemed to me a scandal to our horticulture that in a
region where the raspberry grows wild, we should not have a sort that
would resist both the winter cold and summer heat, and produce
abundantly."
After another year of observation and of much correspondence, extending
even to California, I am convinced that the Cuthbert does "resist both
the winter cold and summer heat, and produce abundantly," far better
than any other raspberry that equals it in size and flavor. The canes
are strong, upright, branching, if space permits, reddish-brown, spines
abundant, but not very long and harsh. It is a rampant grower on good
soil, but the foliage, so far from being rank and large, is delicate,
and the under side of the leaves has a light, silvery hue. After once
getting hold of the soil, it suckers immoderately, but is no worse in
this respect than other vigorous varieties; and this tendency rapidly
declines after the second year. Is it perfectly hardy? No; and I do not
know of a single good raspberry that is; except, perhaps, the Turner,
which, however, is inferior to the Cuthbert. I have seen the latter
badly winter-killed, but it had stood eight years on the same ground
without injury before. Then, because of a rank growth late in the
season, that especial patch was hit hard, while other fields, but a few
miles away, were unharmed. If planted on well-drained soil, where the
wood could ripen well, I think it would be injured very rarely, if
ever; but I have no faith in talk about "perfectly hardy raspberries."
Those who observe closely will often find our hardy native species
killed to the ground, and I think many varieties suffer more from the
mild, variable winters of the Middle States than from the steady cold
and snowy winters of the North. Moreover, any variety that has not the
power of maintaining a healthy foliage through the hot season will
usually be too feeble to resist the winter following. The question of
hardiness can often be settled better in August than in January. One of
the most hopeful features of the Cuthbert, therefore, is its tough,
sun-enduring foliage, which enables the wood to ripen perfectly. It has
never received winter protection thus far, either in this region or in
Michigan, where it is largely raised, but it may be found necessary to
shield it somewhat in some localities. It is both absurd and dishonest
to claim perfection for a fruit, and the Cuthbert, especially as it
grows older and loses something of its pristine vigor, will, probably,
like all other varieties, develop faults and weaknesses. We cannot too
much deprecate the arrogant spirit often manifested in introducing new
fruits. Interested parties insist on boundless praise, and if their
advice were followed, the fine old standards would be plowed out to
make room for a newcomer that often proves, on trial, little better
than a weed. The Cuthbert is not exactly a novelty. Through the gifts
of the originator, and sales running through several years, it has
become widely scattered, and has proved a success in every instance, as
far as I can learn. I show my faith in it by my works, for I am setting
it out more largely than all other kinds together, even going so far as
to rent land for the purpose. I am satisfied, from frequent inquiries
in Washington Market, that it will take the lead of all others, and it
is so firm that it can be shipped by rail, like a Wilson strawberry.
In Delaware and Southern New Jersey, a variety named "Queen of the
Market" is being largely set out. I have this variety in my
specimen-bed, side by side with plants that came from Thomas Cuthbert's
garden, and am almost satisfied that they are identical, and that Queen
of the Market is but a synonym of the Cuthbert. I have placed the canes
and spines of each under a powerful microscope and can detect no
differences, and the fruit also appeared so much alike that I could not
see wherein it varied. Plants of this variety were sent to Delaware
some years since as they were to Michigan and California, and, wherever
tested, they seem to win strong and immediate favor. Its chief fault in
this locality is its lateness.