390 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ries which I saw were inferior in size to those gathered a few days earlier. But at this 

 time the vines were fairly well loaded with fruit of larger size and more attractive 

 appearance then the finest blackberries, and, to my taste, altogether superior in quality. 

 There is a juicy, melting quality in the dewberry that is scarcely equaled by any other 

 fruit of my acquaintance. The fact that the dewberry is prostrate in its habit of growth 

 is a decided objection to it in climates where winter protection is unnecessary. But in 

 regions of severe winters the ease with which the plants may be covered is a partial 

 recompense for this fault. It is said that a plantation once started is eradicated from 

 the soil with considerable difficulty, which, if true, is an additional objection to the plant 

 in cultivation. I consider Bartel dewberry worthy of trial by all who are interested in 

 testing new fruits. Mr. Adams, who is an extensive grower of blackberries, has found 

 this variety more profitable as a market fruit than any blackberries he has grown." 



Mr. Adams writes me as follows concerning his management of the Bartel: " I have 

 tried no other variety and have given it what I call rather slack cultivation, never hav- 

 ing covered it in winter or trellised it. Our theories generally outrun our practice. 

 This is my notion about the culture of this fruit: The plants should be set 3x7 feet 

 on good, rich land. Laterals should be pinched at 1% feet, and all but six of them 

 cut out entirely. They should be covered with earth two inches in winter. They 

 should not be trellised, as the fruit needs the dense shade of heavy foliage to per- 

 fect it in size and flavor. It is the most saleable fruit that goes into market. The 

 plants do not bear to amount to anything for the first three years." 



The fruit list of the Wisconsin Horticultural society for 1891 recommends the Bar- 

 tel for trial " on clay soils." And this list is the only instance which I know of the 

 correct spelling of the name of the variety. 



Mr. Stone, now of Sioux City, Iowa, writes me the following experience: " I will 

 say positively, after twenty-five years' experience in growing small fruits for market, 

 that I know of no kind of small fruit which will pay so well as the Bartel dewberry; 

 and especially is this true throughout the northwest prairie country, as it can be so 

 easily protected from the dry winter winds. The Bartel will produce well from the 

 same hill fifteen years in succession with proper care, and it will increase in productive- 

 ness for the first eight years. Many lose faith in it, as well as in other varieties, because 

 it does not give more fruit the first year or two. I am sure that two hundred bushels 

 of fruit can be grown on an acre of six or seven-year-old plants. I am now picking 

 from hills on my grounds which will yield four quarts per hill and only four years old. 

 Another good point is that its fruiting season is long and comes at a time when there 

 is scarcely anything in the market to compete with it. I have the Lucretia by the 

 side of the Bartel, same age and same cultivation, and have had them so situated for 

 years, and during this time the Bartel has given double the amount of fruit. I also 

 have the Windom; it lacks both size and quality. The Bartel has scarcely any thorns 

 as compared with the Lucretia, making it easier to pick from; still I would not dis- 

 card the Lucretia, but prefer the Bartel by one half. You ask if any of the dewberries 

 are destined to become market fruits. I will answer by saying that I firmly believe 

 that within ten years no small fruit garden will be complete without a good supply of 

 them." 



Mr. Stone's advice for the management of dewberries, especially of Bartel, is this: 

 " Dewberries should be transplanted in early spring, setting one or two-year-old tips 

 only. Plant 3% by 5 feet, and cultivate shallow one way only, with a horse, using a 

 hoe between the plants in the row. The first year we can cultivate close to the row 

 regardless of canes, as the cultivator will turn them without injury, so they will grow 

 alongside of the row. After the first year the canes should be cut back to about two 

 feet when 2}4 or 3 feet in length. It will be necessary to go over the vines several 

 times during the growing season in order to prune the earlier and the later canes at the 

 proper length. All varieties need winter protection in a cold climate, to insure a good 

 crop every year. Just before the ground freezes the canes should be placed along the 

 rows, then covered an inch or two deep with mellow soil, and before severe winter 

 weather sets in cover the whole surface with mulching, using more over the rows than 

 between them. In the spring, work the canes up through the mulching with a fork, 

 and move the mulch from between the rows, placing it along the row and under the 

 canes, leaving the plantation so it can be cultivated one way only. The canes 

 may be tied to a trellis or racked by driving stakes on each side of the row, so they 

 will be about two feet high; then attach a wire to the stakes on each side of the row, 

 so they will be at the proper height to allow the canes to rest upon them; if the wires 

 are placed at the right height the canes will not need tying. It will pay to use mulch- 

 ing under the bushes, even where it is not necessary for winter protection, as it will 

 keep the fruit clean, and render the soil fertile and moist." 



C. G. Carpenter, Nebraska, writes me that the variety "does fairly well; in fact I 



