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Page 29
Thus fortuitously, or by the skill of the gardener, the foreign
and our native species were crossed, and a new and hardier class
of varieties obtained. The large size and richness in flavor of
the European berry has been bred into and combined with our
smaller and more insipid indigenous fruit. By this process the
area of successful raspberry culture has been extended almost
indefinitely.
Within recent years a third step forward has been taken. Some
localities and soils were so unsuited to the raspberry that no
variety containing even a small percentage of the foreign element
could thrive. This fact led fruit-growers to give still closer
attention to our native species. Wild bushes were found here and
there which gave fruit of such good quality and in such large
quantities that they were deemed well worthy of cultivation. Many
of these wild specimens accepted cultivation gratefully, and
showed such marked improvement that they were heralded over the
land as of wonderful and surpassing value. Some of these pure,
unmixed varieties of our native species (Rubus strigosus) have
obtained a wide celebrity; as, for instance, the Brandywine,
Highland Hardy, and, best of all, the Turner. It should be
distinctly understood, however, that, with the exception of the
last-named kind, these native varieties are decidedly inferior to
most of the foreign berries and their hybrids or crosses, like the
Cuthbert and Marlboro. Thousands have been misled by their praise,
and have planted them when they might just as easily have grown
far better kinds. I suppose that many wealthy persons in the
latitudes of New York and Boston have told their gardeners (or
more probably were told by them): "We do not wish any of those
wild kinds. Brinckle's Orange, Franconia, and the Antwerp are good
enough for us." So they should be, for they are the best; but they
are all foreign varieties, and scarcely will live at all, much
less be productive, in wide areas of the country.
I trust that this preliminary discussion in regard to red
raspberries will prepare the way for the advice to follow, and
enable the proprietor of the Home Acre to act intelligently.
Sensible men do not like to be told, "You cannot do this, and must
not do that"--in other words, to be met the moment they step into
their gardens by the arbitrary dictum of A, B, or C. They wish to
unite with Nature in producing certain results. Understanding her
simple laws, they work hopefully, confidently; and they cannot be
imposed upon by those who either wittingly or unwittingly give bad
advice. Having explained the natural principles on which I base my
directions, I can expect the reader to follow each step with the
prospect of success and enjoyment much enhanced.
The question first arising is, What shall we plant? As before, I
shall give the selection of eminent authorities, then suggest to
the reader the restrictions under which he should make a choice
for his own peculiar soil and climate.
Dr. F. M. Hexamer, the well-known editor of a leading
horticultural journal, is recognized throughout the land as having
few, if any, superiors in recent and practical acquaintance with
small fruits. The following is his selection: "Cuthbert, Turner,
and Marlboro." The Hon. Marshall P. Wilder's choice: "Brinckle's
Orange, Franconia, Cuthbert, Herstine, Shaffer." The Hon. Norman
J. Colman, Commissioner of Agriculture: "Turner, Marlboro,
Cuthbert." P. J. Berckmans, of Georgia: "Cuthbert, Hansel, Lost
Rubies, Imperial Red." A. S. Fuller: "Turner, Cuthbert, Hansel."
In analyzing this list we find three distinctly foreign kinds
named: the Orange, Franconia, and Herstine. If the last is not
wholly of foreign origin, the element of our native species enters
into it so slightly that it will not endure winters in our
latitude, or the summer sun of the South. For excellence, however,
it is unsurpassed.
In the Cuthbert, Marlboro, and Lost Rubies we have hybrids of the
foreign and our native species, forming the second class referred
to; in the Turner and Hansel, examples of our native species
unmixed. To each of these classes might be added a score of other
varieties which have been more or less popular, but they would
serve only to distract the reader's attention. I have tested forty
or fifty kinds side by side at one time, only to be shown that
four or five varieties would answer all practical purposes. I can
assure the reader, however, that it will be scarcely possible to
find a soil or climate where some of these approved sorts will not
thrive abundantly and at slight outlay.
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