Middletown transcript., 1877-02-03
Aaritultnral.
Famous RaspBerrles.
BY R. H. HArNEs.

BY r.. I'll. HAINES.
A few years ago it was thought thai
perfection had been almost reached in
some of the new raspberries then intIo.
duced but the appearance Of several
new varieties has given US very agree
able surprise, and we cheerfully yield
to them the post Of honor Raspberriss
are nov grown that not only excel the
old kinds in size and productiveness, but
also set at defiance the formerly much
dreaded rayages Of the Frost King with
his icy fingers. There are two or three
kinds Of raspberries that are now al
tracing especial interest in the fruit
world, and possibly a short description
of them may prove Of interest.
"The DeLapdre. This is a name
famous throughout the land as belong
ing to one of our most delicious, and
tempting varieties Of grapes and the
raspberry to which it is now applied,
also seems we'll worthy of possessing it.
IL nearly all Of the principal art galle-
ries Of the country, visitors will find an
attractive looking painting representing
an overturned basket Of brilliant red
raspberries, with background Of dark
green leaves. making beautiful con
trust and very pretty little picture 1t
is painting that many linger over and
examine with a great deal Of pleasure.
and perhaps, with many. wish to pos
sssz ii. Yet this is a picture that any
one can readily arrange for his own
qualification, and with much more real
ity and even greater truthfnlness than
is sometimes displayed. For this pur-
pose our friend-"The Delaware will
gladly offer bis services, and I know Of
no other that will 6ll the Office to better
advantage. The berries are beautiful
red 10 color, and unusually large
nearly three-fourths Of an inch in diam
etsr, and somstimss seven-eighths Of az
inch in length. When a number Of
these are carslessly thrown upon some
dark green leaves, they will form
tempting and beautiful picture that few
will Be able to resist. The quality Of
the fruit is sbout all that can be desired.
while they also have the merit Of being
sufficiently firm to carry to distant
markets The plants are quite hardy
and require no protection in winter.
1.-THE Highland Hardy "A few
words in regard to this popular rasp-
berry will perhaps prove acceptable to
those who have watched it's progress
during the past two or three years. The
expsriencs Of the past summer has,
think, fully corroboratsd what has pre-
viously been written in regard to it
For a very early hardy and profitable
variety, it is still highly esteemed I'm
usual success has attended its cultiva-
tion alsng the Hudson during the last
few years. The berries are shipped to
the New York markets in what are
called "cups," holding one-third of
quart each-from sixty to eighty-four
Of these cups being placed in crates
some persons using one size, and others
another. One fruit grower, 10 1873,
from one-fourth of an acre sold 1896 |
cups at an average OF thirteen and
half cents each ; making 1854 06 from
this small plot. Last year another sold |
8, ,420 cups from little over one-third |
Of an acre at an average Of Eve and a
half cents a cup, making a yield of
about 81, 100 per acre. These are sx-
ceptional yields, and considerably above
the average; still, a very desirable
quality in this raspberry is the fact that
i can be grown successfully in nearly
al localities. giving profit per acre.
according to the soil upon which it is
grown, the cultivation bestowed, or the
condition of the markets The berries
are from medium to large in size, Of a
bright color, and sufficiently firm for
shipping As the plants require DO
protection whatever in winter, an acre
may be cultivated at very little more
expense than the same area in corn.
"Herstine" and "Brandypine' are
iWo other varieties that are highly es-
.eened-the first for h0ms use or Hear
market; the second for shipping to dis
iant points. Space does not, however,
permit me at this time to give further
description Of them.
Years ago, it was the custom to set
,ut raspberriss and nearly ell other
ruits in the spring; but recent sxps-
ience has shown that this can be done
'qually as we'll, if not to better ad1an-
age in the fall. The method now
argsly employed 10 to set ont the plants
my time between the 18th Of October
md the latter part of November; and
ust before the ground freezes up, the
oil is well chilled up" around them,
nd leveled of again 10 April By fol-
owing this plan they make much ear
ier start in spring, and are not as la
lie to be injured by the early droughts
hat frequently occur The usual ar
in planting is to get out the
lants 10 bills. four feet apart each way.
his requires less hoeing. and usually
arger berries are obtained. Others set
ut the plants three feet apart. in rows
* or seven feet distanr from each other.
iitber way will well repay the owner
hin be sees the bushes bending under
be weight Of their beautiful bright red
erries.
An accurate farmer has furnished the
'ouatry Gentleman a statement Of bis
nr;rnnnh iii fanl:n.o... Ia IL |