58 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



any other. It is perfectly hardy, not subject to rust, not as thorny a» 

 other varieties, is a robust grower, very prolific, early and of the best 

 quality. It can be eaten out of hand as soon as it has turned blacky 

 for it contains no hard core, like some other varieties. 



While the Snyder, on poor soil, produces small berries, on good 

 soil its berries are large enough, and it will bear well on soil which is 

 too rich for other varieties. 



Next in value I place the Kittatinny, which is of largest size, a 

 long, somewhat tapering berry. It should remain on the bush several 

 days after turning black to soften the core or heart; it is then of fine 

 cjuality. On rich soil it does not bear well, growing too rank, but on 

 medium soil it bears well and is quite hardy, though not an iron-clad^ 

 like the Snyder. It is also liable to rust on uncongenial soil. Clay 

 seems to suit it best. 



Another good berry, equally as hardy as the Snyder, is the Taylor's 

 Prolific. About the size of Snyder, but longer and more tapering in 

 form, of excellent quality, but prolific only on moderate or poor soil. 

 It is of a somewhat sprawling habit, with slender limbs and later than 

 any of the varieties I have tried. 



The Early Harvest I place next in value on account of its earliness^ 

 being earlier than Snyder. It is, however, lacking in hardiness. 



The old Lawton is a large, roundish, oblong berry, a good bearer 

 and of fine quality, but not hardy enough. 



Wachusetts is a fine berry and its canes have very few thorns, but 

 it is not prolific. 



The Wilson, Jr., and Bromton's Early, the latter an extra early, but 

 small variety and too tender, have been discarded. Stone's Hardy is 

 too small, a slow grower and very thorny. 



Now, as to cultivation. Prepare the soil several weeks in advance 

 if possible, and plant either in fall or spring ( the former preferred). 

 Distance, 3x7 feet. Open a furrow with a one-horse plow and plant 

 in this so the roots are covered four or five inches. Wet the roots 

 and firm the soil well about them. Keep clean with hoe and cultivator, 

 and trim tips of canes lightly the following winter. They will bear only 

 a light crop the first year, probably 200 gallons per acre. The next 

 summer the new canes or shoots coming up should have four inches of 

 the tips broken off when they are three feet high. As fresh canes 

 keep coming through the blossoming and ripening season, we go over 

 them at least twice a week, so as to have all of a uniform height. This 

 topping is done to force out and increase the laterals or limbs, making 

 the plant more stocky, and therefore less liable to be broken by winds, 

 and increases the yield. 



