FRUIT CULTURE IN THE BLACK HILLS. 423 
The purple raspberries, Shaffer’s Colossal and Columbian, are hardy and 
productive. The former is of better flavor, but the latter is larger and firmer. 
In common with other raspberries and with blackberries, they must be pro- 
tected in winter to make a crop at all certain. 
Blackcaps are not so much at home as the reds. They yield moderate 
crops of large berries. I have tested about all of them. The Mohler 
(Eureka) is decidedly the best early sort. The Kansas and the Munger are 
good later ones. The Older is too soft and sour. 
Blackberries are not an entire success, though I have had several 
hundred quarts a year for three years past. After testing the standard sorts, 
I have discarded all of- them except the Ancient Briton. There is some- 
thing in the climate, the altitude and the hot, July winds, perhaps, that causes 
them to blight, the Ancient Briton not so much so as the others. 
For three years I have been experimenting with the Rathbun, a cross 
between the upright blackberry and the trailing dewberry. It seems promis- 
ing, and I am hoping it will prove productive and not blight. 
For several years I have been experimenting with the Lucretia dew- 
berry. My success has been varied. Two years ago I picked 120 quarts 
from 20 hills and sold them for $30. This year I have 500 hills in bearing, 
but do not feel altogether sanguine as to the outcome. 
If there is any region where currants yield more bountifully and grow 
more thriftily than here I have not seen it. 
Four years ago I resolved to test for this climate the leading varieties. 
I spared no pains nor expense in getting everything true to name. I have 
hundreds of plants, but as several sorts have been set only two years it is too 
scon to speak positively of results. 
The Victoria is quite a disappointment in both size and results. The 
North Star is the smallest currant of all, but the bush is the largest of all. 
The Fay surpasses everything in size, but I cannot yet speak positively of its 
productiveness. Red Cross, Wilder, Pomona, Knight’s Prolific and Prince 
Albert promise well. The London Market has been the greatest surprise so 
far. It is among the largest, is brilliant red and very productive. 
Mr. Thompson, of Rapid City, has been a large grower of Houghton 
seedling. He considers it the most profitable gooseberry for the Hills, and 
certainly he has grown immense crops. I am, however, trying some experi- 
ments in the hope of finding something better. “I can only say at present 
that the Downing, of which I expected much, and the Pearl have, so far, 
done poorly, while the Red Jacket has borne large crops of fine berries, 
and the Columbus and Chautauqua seem promising. 
Within a dozen years the Black Hills will probably be the leading fruit 
growing region in the state. Ail the fruits mentioned in this paper will 
doubtless be grown in profusion on the irrigated lands, and the markets 
here will be fully supplied with our own production of northern fruits. 
STORING DAHLIA BuLBs—After the first frost has killed the tops and be- 
fore there is severe freezing, dig up the bulbs, shake off the adhering earth and 
store them ina room free from frost. A cellaror pit which will keep Irish po- 
tatoes will answer nicely for dahlias. It is best to leave them in the open 
ground as long as possible in order that the growth may become thoroughly 
matured. 
