300 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



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varieties of blackberries, and they formed a few fruits last year on two- 

 year old plants, but they have shown no valuable characteristics. 



Strawberry- Raspberry {Rubus soi'bifolius). This is a recent novelty 

 from Japan. It sends up stems to the height of twelve or fifteen inches^, 

 which are covered with short, stout spines, as are the ribs of the leaves. 

 The old stems die down each year and new ones are sent up from the roots. 

 As grown here it seems to have no value, and as it suckers profusely it 

 may become difficult to eradicate when it has obtained a hold of the soil. . 



Wineberry {Rubus Phoenicolasius). Another Japanese species intro- 

 duced and quite widely disseminated several years ago. It seems to be 

 wanting in hardiness as it has killed to the ground nearly every year. 

 The canes are somewhat spreading, and are covered with numerous red- 

 dish, purple hairs. The calyx is quite large and thick, and forms a sort of 

 burr about the berry. The fruit is of a dark amber color, and is soft and 

 rather acid. Of no value except as a curiosity. 



Agricultural College, Mich , 

 January 1, 1897. 



