Blackberries. 521 



know are natural hybrids, or, like the Wilson Junior and Sterling, 

 offsprings of a natural hybrid (Wilson Early), Natural hybrids are 

 common along roadsides in central New York. 



Y. Sand blackberry {Rubus cuneifolius). — The Tree Blackberry 

 of Childs, and the Topsy, are forms of this viciously thorny species, 

 which grows wild in sandy lands from southern New York south- 

 wards. It is a low plant (2 to 3 feet high), the cultivated forms 

 suggesting the Early Harvest type. In wild specimens the under 

 surfaces of the thickish, wedge-obovate leaflets are white, with a thick 

 hairy covering, but much of this disappears under cultivation. The 

 fruit is borne in loose, leafy clusters, and is globular, loose-grained, 

 very black, often sweet and of excellent quality. I do not know of 

 any cultivated forms which are valuable. 



The varieties of blackberries which are much esteemed in New 

 York are few. I append brief descriptions of a few of them. The 

 various recent kinds are not yet sufficiently tested to warrant a de- 

 scription of them in a paper of character. 



Snyder (Fig. 100). — By far the most popular blackberry in this 

 State. Early, hardy, very productive. Berries of medium size, 

 nearly globular, of fair quality when well ripened. The one serious 

 defect of the Snyder is the tendency of the fruit to turn red when, 

 placed upon the market, particularly if it is picked before fully ripe. 

 This difficulty may be obviated somewhat by keeping the berries 

 covered after they are picked, to exclude the light. This, in fact, 

 should be done with all blackberries. Found wild over forty years 

 ago in northern Indiana. 



Minnewaski. — Much like the Snyder, and popular along the 

 Hudson. Comes in just after Snyder and averages larger, but, 

 under all conditions, it does not seem to be so uniformly productive 

 and it is not so hardy. As commonly consumed, it is very sour, 

 but its quality is excellent when it is allowed to ripen on the bush. 



Kittatinny (Fig. 101). — One of the oldest and best known black- 

 berries, of most excellent quality and the fruit long and large, but 

 now little grown in New York because of its tenderness and suscep- 

 tibility to red rust. In somewhat protected localities and on well 

 drained soils, it generally passes the winter safely if cultivated 

 judiciously, but it is not generally reliable in this State. 



Ancient Briton. — One of the most popular varieties in Wisconsin^ 

 where it first became known, and one which we have grown for a 



