Narrative
Cuthbert. (Queen of the Market, Quimby Favorite) - is now the most commonly grown red raspberry in America [in 1925], chiefly so because it adapts itself better to the varied climates and soils of raspberry regions than any other red variety. Cuthbert seems to grow best on sandy land, but thrives on a wide range of soils, and is as hardy to cold and endures heat as well as any other red raspberry. The plants are usually healthy and productive, but are more seriously affected by leaf curl than almost any other sort, and are quite susceptible to the dreaded mosaic. The faults are that the plants are not as productive as those of a good commercial sort ought to be and the crop ripens too late for many northern markets. The berries are of handsome red color, medium firm of flesh, and of very good quality when not overripe. As the berries pass maturity, however, the quality deteriorates and heavy bloom detracts from the attractiveness of the fruits. Cuthbert was found as a chance seedling by Thomas Cuthbert in his garden at Riverdale, now a part of New York City, about 1865. It was thought the variety might be a seedling of Hudson River Antwerp since it came up near a bed of that sort. The variety was not disseminated until about 1880, but since that time it has been widely grown. The berry was grown in different localities under various names but for the last quarter-century it has been known only as Cuthbert. The American Pomological Society added the variety to its list of recommended fruits in 1881. Plants tall, vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, not very productive, very susceptible to leaf curl, contract mosaic slowly, moderately injured; propagated from suckers; canes numerous, somewhat stocky, light green becoming yellowish brown, with a very thin, whitish bloom, with eglandular tips; prickles very small, slender, numerous, green or slightly tinged red at the tips; leaflets usually 5, medium in size, pale green, very light colored beneath on the bearing canes, often curved, long-oval, dull rugose, with serrate margins; petiole slender, glabrous, slightly glaucous. Flowers medium in season; pedicels eglandular, pubescent; calyx prickly. Fruit late, season long; medium to large, uniform, retains size well through the season, conical, dull, dark red, with heavy bloom; torus roughish, pointed; drupelets small, very uniform, with strong coherence; cavity-scars conspicuous; flesh juicy, of but medium firmness, sweet, rich, aromatic; very good in quality. -- U.P. Hedrick. 1925. The Small Fruits of New York. A remarkably strong, hardy variety; stands the northern winter and southern summers equal to any. Berries very large. Measuring three inches around, conical, rich crimson, very handsome, and so firm they can be shipped hundreds of miles by rail in good condition; flavor is sweet, rich and luscious. The leading market variety for main crop.
Cultivar released by Thomas Cuthbert
Cultivar Synonym= Conover, Queen of the Market, Quinby
NAMED FOR= Named for Thomas Cuthbert, discoverer.