SECRETARY S PORTFOLIO. 409 



proves that locations where no frost occurred are in about the same con- 

 dition as the low lands. Those fields from which the covering was removed 

 early in the season appear to be the least affected. The theory prevailing 

 which ascribes the malformation to a " double bloom/' which prevents fer- 

 tilization^ appears to be tenable, and may have been caused by retarding the 

 bloom by mulch or by some peculiarity of the season, and may not recur 

 again. The same symptoms have, however, appeared heretofore in a less 

 degree, and the true causes should be divulged if possible by our fruit grow- 

 ers and remedies suggested, as the loss of the Wilson blackberry will serious- 

 ly impair our fruit growing interests. 



Covering the Wilson Blackberry. — Writing to the Michigan Farmer, 

 T. T. Lyon says that the apparent tendency among the growers of black- 

 berries for market, seems mainly to be in the direction of sacrificing every- 

 thing else to secure hardiness, since even slight winter-killing of the tips is 

 liable to seriously diminish the crop of fruit. Aware of this tendency, Mr. 

 Lyon was surprised to see, during a visit to Berrien county, Michigan, in 

 August last, notwithstanding the severity of the previous winter, extensive 

 plantations of the old Wilson blackberry, one of the tenderest of varieties, 

 loaded with enormous crops of beautiful Truit. On inquiry he learned that 

 the canes had been laid down and covered, and thus carried through the 

 winter unharmed ; and he was assured that this had been done extensively 

 and at a cost not exceeding $1.60 to $1.75 per acre — the spreading, low habit 

 of this variety rendering the operation comparatively easy. Although the 

 Wilson is not a berry of high quality, its very large size and bright ap- 

 pearance render it very attractive in the market; besides which it has the 

 merit of ripening the crop within a very short period ; so that comparatively 

 few pickings suffice to harvest the crop. 



Variety Notes.— The editor of the Rural New Yorker makes the fol- 

 lowing notes with regard to the varieties of blackberries: If you plant the 

 Snyder or Taylor blackberry you will get about everything there is in this 

 fruit except size. The Taylor is a little later than the Snyder, and the berry 

 averages a little larger. If you plant the Kittatinny you will get about 

 everything except the extreme hardiness of the Snyder and Taylor. If you 

 plant the Wilson Junior you will get more berries perhaps than from any 

 other kind, if the plant will endure your climate, which, if severer than 

 that at the Rural grounds, it will not do more than two years in five. It is, 

 however, hardier than its parent, the Wilson. If you want a curiosity in 

 the blackberry way that needs protection, try the Crystal White. The berry 

 is white and sweet like a mulberry — the plants not productive. Among the 

 new blackberries. Bonanza is worthy of mention. It is hardier than the 

 justly famed Kittatinny, the berries are about as large, though scarcely as 

 sweet, and it is about as productive. It appears somewhat before the Kit- 

 tatinny and is desirable also for that reason. If you plant the Early Har- 

 vest you will get the earliest and prettiest blackberry in cultivation. It is 

 hardy here two years in five, we should say. The crop is used up by the 

 time the Kittatinny begins to ripen. If you want a good and prolific dew- 

 berry try the Lucretia. Its berries are large and of fair quality, ripening 

 with the wild dewberries. Why anybody wants a blackberry that is so hard 



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