Dewberry Culture. 77 



tary effect of a wider use of fruits would be most salutary. But such in- 

 crease will be only gradual, and also depends in no small degree upon gen- 

 eral business prosperity throughout the country. Therefore, we caution a 

 good outlook before embarking in the work, judicious management all 

 through, and a high aim in good culture, remembering that a superior crop 

 nets the profit, while an inferior crop involves the disappointment and loss. 

 We would not be so selfish as to make corners and hold extravagant 

 rates; rather let there be an abundant supply at moderate, but at paying, 

 rates. With thorough culture and successful crops, we niay adept the 

 motto, " Post preiia, premia" — "After the battle, the reward." 



President Earle, of Illinois — We have another paper which I 

 think I will now call up, as it and this one by Mr. Augur may 

 then be discussed together : 



DEWBERRY CULTURE. 



BY I. N. STONE, OF IOWA. 



While there is hardly a stats which has not some variety of dewberry 

 growing within its borders, still it has not until recently found a place in 

 the fruit garden, and we predict that it is soon to occupy a very important 

 place in the list of small fruits throughout the United States. The dewberry 

 is of the blackberry family, and is o''ten called a trailing blackberry, Some 

 varieties are propagated from tips, the same as black raspberries; others by 

 suckers naturally, but may be propagated from tips, also. The tip varieties 

 are the best for general cultivation, as they may be kept within boimds as 

 easily as the black- cap raspberr}'. 



The dewberry has a more sprightly flavor than the blackberry, is larger, 

 ripens earlier, and, having a glossy black color, does not turn red after pick- 

 ing, and is considered by many to be far superior to the blackberry, either 

 fresh from the vine or when canned. Its large size and attractive appeu-- 

 ance, and its ripening in advance of the blackberry crop, insure for it a good 

 price at all times, even when the market is overstocked with other berries. 



The trailing habit of the dewberry canes renders them as easily covered 

 in a cold climate where winter protection is needed as a strawberry bed, 

 requiring about the snwe amount of mulch. 



There is no kind of small fruit that will stand drought as well as the 

 dewberry, except, perhaps, the grape ; in fact, its roots will run down about 

 as deep; and while it succeeds well on a loose sandy or gravelly soil, it will 

 also produce well on a heavy soil if not too wet. 



They should be transplanted in early spring, setting tips only. Do nut 

 use suckers at any price. Plant three and one-half by six feet, and cultivate 

 shallow one way only, with a hor^e, using a hoe between the plants in the 

 row. The first year we can cultivate close to the row, regardless of the 



