VARIETIES OF OTHER SMALL FRUITS
I have already written so fully of the leading and profitable varieties
of raspberries, blackberries, currants, and gooseberries, that little
more remains to be said; since, for reasons previously given, I do not
care to go into long descriptions of obsolete varieties, nor of those
so new and untested as to be unknown quantities in value. I am putting
everything thought worthy of test in trial-beds, and hope eventually to
write accurately concerning them.
RASPBERRIES
_Rubus Idceus and Rubus Strigosus_
_Arnold's Orange_.--Canes strong, branching, yellowish brown, almost
smooth, and producing but few suckers. Fruit large, somewhat shorter
than Brinkle's Orange, and of a darker orange color; rich in flavor,
Originated with Mr. Charles Arnold, Paris, Ontario, C. W.
_Antwerp_ (English).--See page 202.
_Antwerp_ (Hudson Biver).--See pages 202-205.
_Antwerp_ (Yellow--White Antwerp).--A tender variety that needs winter
protection, good culture, and vigorous pruning; otherwise, the berries
are imperfect and crumble badly in picking. The fruit is exceedingly
delicate and soft, and must be picked as soon as ripe or it cannot be
handled. It is much surpassed by Brinkle's Orange. The canes are
vigorous and the variety is easily grown. _Brinkle's Orange_.--For
description, see page 218.
_Belle de Fontenay_.--See page 207.
_Brandywine._--See page 208.
_Belle de Palnau._--A French variety, that thrives in some localities.
Canes are strong, vigorous, upright, covered with short, purplish
spines, which are more numerous near the ground; berry large, obtuse
conical, bright crimson; firm for so juicy and fine-flavored a berry;
grains large. The berries were often imperfect on my place.
_Catawissa._--See page 216. This variety is well spoken of by some good
authorities. The fact that it bears in autumn should give it some
consideration.
_Clarke._--See page 220.
_Caroline._--See page 221.
_Cuthbert._--See pages 221-225.
_Franconia._--See page 206.
_Fastollf._--"An English variety of high reputation. It derived its
name from having originated near the ruins of an old castle, so called,
in Great Yarmouth. Canes strong, rather erect, branching; light
yellowish brown, with few strong bristles; fruit very large, obtuse or
roundish conical, bright, purplish red, rich and highly flavored,
slightly adhering to the germ in picking." (Downing.)
_French._--(Vice-President French).--Originated with Dr. Brinkle.
"Canes strong, upright, spines short and stout; fruit medium to large,
roundish, rich, bright crimson, large grains, sweet and very good."
(Barry.) It is foreign in its parentage, and uncertain in many
localities.
_Herstine._--See pages 219, 220.
_Hornet._--"Raised by Souchet, near Paris. Very productive. Canes very
strong, vigorous, upright spines, purplish, rather stout, and numerous
at the base; fruit very large, conical, often irregular, grains large,
quite hairy, compact, crimson; flesh rather firm, juicy, sweet and
good, separates freely." (Downing.) This variety appears to vary
greatly with locality.
_Kirtland._--(Cincinnati Red.)--One of the native varieties once grown
largely, but now superseded. Fruit medium in size, obtuse conical,
soft, and not very high-flavored.
_Knevett's Giant._--Berry large, round, light crimson, adheres too
firmly to the core, and often crumbles in picking, but is juicy and
good. The canes are very strong and productive; spines purplish, short,
scattering. An English variety.
_Merveille de Quatre Saisons._--A French variety. This and the Belle de
Fontenay are almost as hardy as any of our native kinds, and thus they
form exceptions to the foreign sorts, which are usually tender. Good
results might be secured by crossing them with our best native kinds.
The canes of this variety must be cut to the ground in spring if much
autumn fruit is desired. It is not equal to the Belle de Fontenay, to
which class it belongs.
_Naomi._--Identical with Franconia.
_Northumberland Fillbasket._--An old-fashioned English variety,
sometimes found in the garden of an amateur.
_Pride of the Hudson._--See pages 190, 219.
_Pearl, Bristol, Thwack._--Native varieties that resemble the
Brandywine, but are not equal to it in most localities. They are
passing out of cultivation.
_Reliance._--A seedling of the Philadelphia, but judging from one
year's test, much superior to it, and worthy of cultivation in those
regions where the finer varieties cannot thrive. It is hardy, and will
do well on light soils.
_Saunders._--See page 220.
_Rubus Occidentalis_
For descriptions of _Davison's Thornless, Doolittle, or American
Improved, Mammoth Cluster,_ and _Gregg,_ see Chapter XXII.
_American Black._--Common black-cap raspberry, found wild throughout
the United States. Too well known to need description.
_American White-Cap_ (Yellow-Cap, Golden-Cap).--"Also scattered widely
throughout the country, but not common. Those who discover it often
imagine that they have found something new and rare. Berries slightly
oval, grains larger than those of the black-cap, yellow, with a white
bloom. The canes are light yellow, strong, stocky, with but few spines.
Propagated from the tips. It might become the parent of very fine
varieties." (Fuller.)
_Miami Black-Cap._--A vigorous, productive variety, found growing near
the Miami River, in Ohio. The fruit approaches a brownish red in color,
and is not equal to the Mammoth Cluster in value.
_Philadelphia._--See page 220.
_Seneca Black-Cap._--Raised by Mr. Dell, of Seneca County, N.Y. The
fruit is between the Doolittle and Mammoth Cluster in size, and is
later than the former; not so black, having a shade of purple, and is
juicy, sweet, and good.
_Lum's Everbearing, and Ohio Everbearing Black Raspberries._--Varieties
that resemble each other. If a good autumn crop is desired, cut away
the canes in the spring, so as to secure a strong early growth of new
wood, on which the fruit is to be borne.
_Golden Thornless._--A large variety of the American White-Cap,
introduced by Purdy & Johnson, Palmyra, N.Y.
_Florence._--A variety resembling the above.
_Ganargua and New Rochelle._--See pages 220, 221.
BLACKBERRIES
In Chapter xxiv. I have described those varieties that have proved
worthy of general cultivation. The Dorchester winter-killed so badly on
my place, and the fruit was so inferior to that of the Kittatinny in
size, that I discarded it. It is good in flavor. The Missouri Mammoth
is tender and often not productive. There are new varieties that
promise well, as Taylor's Prolific, Ancient Briton, Knox, Warren,
Wachusett Thornless, Cro' Nest and several others. I am testing them,
and do not care to express any opinion as yet, or write descriptions
that would probably need considerable revision within six months.
CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRIES
In chapters xxvi. and xxvii. may be found a description of those
distinct varieties that are of chief value in this country. I find no
good reason why I should fill pages with descriptions of varieties that
are rarely cultivated, and which might well give place to better kinds.
Eventually, I shall give the results gathered from my trial-beds, in
which I am placing all the new and old varieties said to be worthy of
cultivation.