The work of raising new varieties of raspberries goes on with
considerable vigor. If we do not get one to suit everybody, we are
likely to get so many that each one may find a variety that suits him.
Since the days when Mr. Arnold began to try his skill on the production
of new sorts of raspberries, and gave us his Yellow Canada and Orange
King, the number of new sorts of raspberries that have been brought out
is something wonderful. Since then we have had the Clark, which
continues to be grown by many for market purposes on account of its
bright color; the Herstine, which has a peculiar flavor, but is too soft
to carry any distance; Mammoth Cluster, one of the most productive of
the black-cap family; Brandywine, a rather small, firm berry that will
carry well, but the plant suckers awfully; Highland Hardy, valuable
because of its earliness; Turner, a vigorous western variety; Ganargua,
a firm fruit that will carry well, but of a dull maroon color, and
deficient in flavor; Saunders, a large and valuable fruit for the
amateur, but the canes are too tender to endure this climate; Golden
Thornless, a yellow variety of the black-cap family, very productive,
and very lacking in flavor; Pride of the Hudson, too recently sent out
to speak of its qualities; Philadelphia, very hardy, very productive,
but not bright enough in color, nor firm enough, nor sufficiently
high-flavored to give entire satisfaction; Diadem, another of Mr.
Arnold’s seedlings which has been very widely distributed throughout
Ontario, and of which we expect to hear very favorable accounts;
Henrietta, claimed to be the largest, best, and most productive sort in
the world, but as yet is in very few hands, and held at one dollar per
plant; and others there is not space to name.
But it is not of these that we now propose to speak. We wish merely to
make mention of a seedling raspberry growing on the grounds of A. M.
Smith, of Drummondville. It cannot claim to be the largest in the world,
but only somewhat larger than the Philadelphia, firmer in texture, and
therefore likely to carry better, of nearly the same color, and somewhat
better in flavor; the canes are very strong, the foliage broad and
thick, and the plant apparently as hardy as the Philadelphia. With us
hardiness is a very important quality, and we call the attention of our
fruit growers to this new seedling, that they may watch its behaviour,
and when opportunity offers give it a trial. Should it prove to have all
the good qualities of the Philadelphia, with the addition of better
flavor, larger size, and ability to endure carriage better, it will
prove to be a valuable sort in our climate.
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