170 STATE HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



scarcely ever noticed. Cuttings are often taken from a bush because of its thrift, 

 without knowing whether it ever produced a berry, or whether its parents or 

 grand-parents or great-grand-parents ever produced berries. We know that in 

 nearly all berry patches there are plants that are in the habit of producing few if 

 any berries. Then there are patches that, on the whole, produce small jields 

 annually. Plants propagated without regard to the yielding qualities of their 

 parents will not fruit equal to those selected with reference to inherited bearing 

 tendencies. We must learn to breed our plants as seedsmen do their flowers and 

 vegetables. We should not be content to have good varieties, but should breed up 

 superior strains in each variety. Nurserymen have not attempted to keep up the 

 fruiting qualitiv38 of varieties of fruit, and this is the reason why some varieties 

 "run out," as the degeneracy is called. This is why the Wilson strawberry has 

 "run out." It is why the Hopkins raspberry is "running out," and it is a wonder 

 our blackberries are not degenerating more rapidly than they are. 



THE FOUNDATION 



For a profitable berry patch is now completed. By following the above suggestions 

 two desirable points will be attained, namely : 



1. Serious eflects of drouths will be prevented ; (a) by deeply and thoroughly 

 pulverizing the soil ; [b) by plants from root cuttings, which will send out an abun- 

 dance of tibrous roots near the main stalk. 



2. Productiveness is increased ; (a) by plants from root-cuttings ; {b) by plants 

 propagated from bearing bushes ; (c) by availability of plant food, owing to thorough 

 soil preparation. 



CULTIVATION 



Should be given frequently all summer. The cultivator should run three inches 

 deep at first, and this depth maintained in all tubsequent plowings, 'Ihe roots 

 will then approach just so near the surlace, and will not become lacerated by the 

 plow. A row of corn or any other crop may be grown between the rows the first 

 season. 



PRUNING 



Should be done in the summer by cutting ofi the tops when three feet high. In 

 the winter the bushes should be pruned by cutting off all laterals to within ten 

 inches of the main stem. All trash from pruning should be cut in short lengths 

 and left on the ground about the bushes, if possible. This will keep the surface 

 loose and form a perfect fertilizer for the plants. 



VARIETIES. 



The Snyder now heads the list for profit; the berries are small, but certain to 

 be there. Minnewaski, which is so highly praised in some phces, does not yet com- 

 mend itself to me. Last winter killed the ends of the canes, and the summer 

 brought but little fruit of ordinary size. I think Western Triumph worthy of 

 planting. Early Harvest, in a protected place, passed last winter uninjured here. 

 Taylor's Prolific is good to extend the season. People should be wary of flaring 

 advertisements of ever-bearing blackberries. I know of none that are profitable 

 here. Ever-bearing blackberries usually ripen but few fruits at a time, yet con- 

 tinue bearing some throughout the season. This makes expensive picking of the 

 fruit, and is no advantage over planting several good standard varieties. 



