FAK^IERS' INSTITUTES. 131 



verv large crops of the finest Wilsons are grown, the i)lants do not become 

 thickly massed, the fruit is large, the last berries are of fair size, and the cost 

 of cultivation is less than by other thorough methods. In contrast with the 

 one year method, I am sorry to be obliged to notice the ten-year system, or 

 the gathering of berries from old, matted beds which have received no culti- 

 vation during several years. This mode of no culture is not general ; but unfor- 

 tunately temporary tenants have been induced to glean the old fields, and fill 

 the market with "little, hard, sour things," thus casting obloquy on Michigan 

 fruitgrowers "in general," and the Wilson's Albany berry "in particular." 

 It is hoped, however, that with the advent of "better times," Chicago epicures 

 will appreciate and pay for good fruit, and that modes of culture will be 

 adopted whereby Berrien county will grow more and better strawberries from 

 less than one-half of the acreage now occupied. 



BlacTcherries. 



In the spring of 1861 D. K. Brown planted a "trial patch" of Lawton 

 blackberries on his fruit farm four miles south of St. Joseph. The result 

 exceeded his expectations, and in 1864 he had several acres in bearing. Prices 

 ruled very high in Chicago — from 'Zb to 40 cents per quart being readily 

 obtained. Blackberry culture then extended rapidly, large crops were grown, 

 and in 1868 a glut in the Chicago market occurred, large quantities going to 

 waste. Mr. Brown utilized the crop by manufacturing forty barrels of wine. 

 About three pounds of white sugar were added to the gallon of pure juice, 

 making a wine which (with age) proved valuable for medicinal purposes, and 

 sold readily in markets where introduced at $3 per gallon. Repeated loss of 

 blackberry canes on the lower levels by "winter-kill" has discouraged the 

 growing of the Lawton berry excepting upon high grounds contiguous to the 

 lake. In the most favorable locations a total failure has never been known, 

 while a half-crop in such locations, by hard winters, is attended with a total 

 loss of the crop in most inland locations. The Kittatinny is quite extensively 

 grown. It will survive a very little less degree of cold than the Lawton; is 

 very little earlier, but is not so good in quality and does not continue so long 

 in bearing. The Wilson blackberry has proved profitable with some growers. 

 It is a half-running, half-hardy plant; produces very fine, large fruit, which 

 matures early, and "at once." Winter protection is necessary in most loca- 

 tions, but fermentation is sometimes induced, and the germ of the fruit 

 destroyed, by excessive winter covering. Bending over and covering with 

 earth the young canes of the Lawton is practiced while the plants are young 

 and the canes small, but is impracticable w'hen the canes become older and 

 stronger. The Snyder and Dorchester are hardy, but are inferior in quality to 

 many of our wild varieties. The blackberry is indigenous to light, porous 

 soils, and when well cultivated upon high grounds, which are contiguous to 

 large bodies of water, or adjacent low lands, has proved a profitable fruit for 

 market. The area of lands, however, even in our favored lake shore country, 

 is very small upon which the best varieties can be grown with profit. In con- 

 sequence of the frequent admonition of fruit dealers, to ''ship fruit green and 

 hard," many of our finest fruits go upon the tables of city consumers in an 

 undeveloped condition, and arc not properly appreciated. The AVilson straw- 

 berry and Lawton blackberry "turn" several days before maturity, and when 

 sent to market immediately after turning dark, tlie Lawton berry will turn red 

 when exposed on the market. Knowing that the Lawton berry must become 

 fully ripe before its delicious qualities can be appreciated, the most careful 



