50 State Horticultural Society. 



mended new sort, Mercereau. I have had it only one year, but think 

 from what I can see it is quite promising and worthy of general trial. 



The soil that grows some sorts of blackberries is not so good for 

 some other sorts. I find the Early Harvest does well on high, gravelly 

 soil, while the Snyder is almost the opposite, as it does better on rather 

 heavy, moist soil and does not last long on dry, high, rock soil; but 

 when we look to nature for an example we find the common wild black- 

 berry flourishes on almost all kinds of soil and locations. 



I prefer very early spring planting, as the frost sometimes "heaves" 

 out fall-set plants, and unless they are well mulched they are liable to be 

 injured, especially in dry cold winters, but plants, if properly protected,. 

 are best dug in the fall, as all roots that are cut callous over and new 

 sprouts develop on the roots, which makes them grow much more easily. 



I am a grower for fruit and plants oT the dewberry, and find it 

 much more profitable than the blackberry, as it does not come in compe- 

 tition with the wild blackberry, as do most of the cultivated blackberriesv 

 I have a new sort that I have grown for a few years and like it very 

 much. It is called Austin's Improved and originated in Texas. It is 

 very early, large and productive. It ripens with the raspberry and 

 readily sells at the same price. It is nearly two weeks earlier than the 

 Lucretia and is nearly gone when the Lucretia begms to ripen. The 

 Lucretia is a good berry and I grow it, but find the Austin more profit- 

 able. The berry of the Austin is almost round, very large and a glossy 

 black, and sells for a fancy price as a dessert fruit'. 



I plant both sorts on ridges 21-2 by 3 feet high and about 6 feet 

 from center to center between the rows. I let tlie new growth grow as 

 soon as it naturally comes, but I tip them several times during the sum- 

 mer and they almost make a bush. I keep well cultivated and mulch in 

 the early winter with bottom prairie grass and take it off in the spring 

 about the time the buds begin to start, then cut them back to about 2 or 

 3 feet, dig the tip plants and thoroughly cultivate and keep them .clean 

 either by cultivating or mulching. 



BLACKBERRIES AS A MONEY CROP. 



(By J. H. Clarion, Fulton, Mo.) 



I will say in the beginning that the first thing essential in growing 

 a profitable crop of blackberries is the soil and the preparation of same. 

 Any good corn land will grow good blackberries and lots of them if 

 well prepared and given good cultivation thereafter. 



