HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 383 



BLACKBEEEIES AND DEWBEERIES IN MINNESOTA. 



By Frank C. Shepherd, Hdstings. 



Both the blackberry and dewberry grow abundantly in their 

 native wild state over nearly all the United States and a portion 

 of Canada, growing best under the partial protection of forest 

 and shade, on a rocky or sandy soil, around old logs or brush 

 heaps. It will thrive from year to year without care, and pro- 

 duce a large amount of the finest berries, surpassing in their 

 flavor and quality all other kinds of our native fruit. 



Under cultivation the size of the berry, as well as its product- 

 iveness, has been increased, while its high flavor has been par- 

 tially lost, and it seems to be even more tender than in its wild 

 state. 



SOIL AND CULTIVATION. 



In selecting a location choose a rich, well drained clay soil 

 which will not be liable to suffer with drought, for the finest 

 fruit ripens late in summer when a dry spell is most likely to 

 occur, and an abundance of moisture at that time is necessary to 

 produce a large crop of large and luscious fruit. Work the 

 ground deep and fine before setting them. Early in spring 

 mark the field in straight rows eight feet apart, and set the 

 plants two feet apart in the row, treading the dirt close about 

 them. Cultivate clean afterwards, unless you wish to grow a 

 crop of strawberries or beans among them, either of which will 

 do no harm. 



The blackberries grow on bushes of the previous year's 

 growth, so the treatment of the first year will only consist in 

 keeping down the weeds and making them grow as thrifty as 

 possible. Stop cultivating about August 1st, so the bushes will 

 mature their wood before winter; then late in the fall before the 

 ground freezes give winter protection by removing a shovelful 

 of dirt from one side of the bush, and, bending them in that di- 

 rection, press carefully near the roots to avoid breaking and fas- 

 ten them down, with a shovelful of dirt on the tops. This will 

 hold them down until you can cover them completely with dirt, 

 and do not stop until they are out of sight from root to top, and 

 then you need have no fear of their winter-killing. When the 

 buds begin to swell in the spring, remove the covering and 



