GROWING BLACKBERRIES 253 



of extermination. To tliese may also be added pi'ovisions for the preser- 

 vation of important natural features, as forests, waterfalls or massive 

 rocks that lend interest or beauty to the general landscape. 



(b) National Laws. These may deal with larger problems, as the 

 preservation of certain widely distributed birds. Naturally, too, it is 

 the national government that must take the initiative in regard to the 

 conservation of the great forests, waterways, waterfalls, and the features 

 in the national parks and reserves. 



Carefully drawn laws, both state and national, covering the fore- 

 going will no doubt aid the cause of conservation. Too much must not 

 be attempted. More good will result from a constant vigilance with 

 regard to the passage of bad laws which give away the heritage of the 

 community, than from attempts now to formulate a general conservation 

 code. Respectfully submitted, 



CHARLES E. BESSEY (Chairman.) 

 DAVID STARR JORDAN, 

 EDWIN A. ALDERMAN, 

 E. T. FAIRCHILD, 

 EDWIN B. CRAIGHEAD, 



Committee. 



GROWING BLACKBERRIES. 

 Written for Green's Fruit Grower by J. S. Underwood, Illinois. 



Some are of the opinion that blackberries can be grown successfully 

 on any kind of soil, but I wish to state from my own experience that 

 to produce blackberries of first quality the soil must be rich. In pre- 

 paring the ground, I plow very deep and put it in the best possible 

 condition. I lay the rows off six and one-half feet apart in the row. 

 This allows sflfiicient room for cultivation, and afterward to pick the 

 berries. 



In setting the plants I have one man go ahead and lay them in the 

 row and another man follow with a hoe and draw the earth over the 

 roots and firm it with his feet. Another man follows with a small turning 

 plow, throwing earth on both sides of the plant row, thus filling trench 

 and leaving plenty of mellow earth to hold the moisture. As to the 

 best varieties to plant will depend to a very great extent on the locality 

 in which they are to be grown. Some varieties will answer for one sec- 

 tion, while others will not. For this reason it is best to obtain the 

 advice of some local nurseryman, and, if possible, plant home-grown 

 varieties. I am thoroughly convinced of the fact that some have failed 

 to be successful in growing blackberries simply because they tried to 

 grow kinds that were not adapted to their soil and climate. I am grow- 

 ing three varieties, all of which are well adapted to my soil and locality. 

 They are the Lawton, Jr., Erie, and Early Harvest. The Lawton, Jr., 

 is very hardy and bears heavily. The Erie is an excellent variety and 



