EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 321 



due to the fact that the desirable features of hardiness aud size of 

 fruit are not to be found in any one variety, but recent introductions 

 indicate that plant breeders are wearing the ideal blackberry, one with 

 large fruit, that will not turn red after picking aud is hardy. 



The following varieties are worthy of consideration: 



Blowers. A recent introduction. A hardy, thrifty grower of spread- 

 ing habit. Fruit is large, jet black color and ripens through a long 

 season. 



Early King. The earliest blackberry. Fruit is good size until the 

 end of tile season when it becomes small. Hardier and a better variety 

 than Early Harvest. 



Early Harvest. Compact upright grower. Does not sucker much. 

 Moderately hardy and quite productive. Fruit of medium size. Its 

 earliness is its most desirable feature. 



Eldorado. Productive, hardy and thrifty. Fruit holds color well 

 and is of good size and quality. Season medium early. Probably the 

 most valuable variety. 



Mesereau. a moderate growing, hardy variety; canes quite free 

 from rust. Fruit is of good size and holds color w'ell but has a slight 

 core. Its season is short but it makes a good medium early variety. 



Rathbun. Similar to the Wilson but hardier. Grows without cov- 

 ering in the southern part of Michigan. Does not sucker much. Very 

 productive of large handsome fruit of good quality. Season same as 

 that of the Wilson. 



Snyder. A well known hardy variety. Its attractive features are 

 hardiness and productiveness. Fruit is small but of good quality. Rec- 

 ommended only where better varieties will not grow. 



Ward. Hardy, thrifty and i)roductive. Fruit large and of handsome 

 appearance. Quality good. A very good late variety. 



Wilson. Once very popular, especially in southwestern part of Mich- 

 igan but is being replaced by hardier varieties. It has to be given winter 

 ]>rotectiou in all parts of the state. Fruit is very good size and quality. 

 Season early. 



dewberries. 



The dewberry is too often overlooked by the small fruit grower. Their 

 culture affords an excellent opportunity to lengthen the berry season 

 and this is especially desirable for growers in the southern part of the 

 state where the dewberry will ripen and be marketable before the 

 blackberry and usually brings high prices. 



The fruit is large, of better quality but softer than that of the black- 

 berry. The canes are smaller and of a trailing habit. On this account, 

 it is advisable to run wire trellises along the rows about a foot from 

 the ground to support the canes and keep them from the ground. Prun- 

 ing, cultivation, and propagation of the dewberi*y are the same as for 

 the blackberry. 



VARIETIES. 



There are only three varieties of any value and they are as follows: 

 Austin. Of quite recent introduction. A very thrifty grower, healthy 

 and hardy. Productive of large berries of good quality. Fruit is a 

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