BLACKBERRIES AND DEWBERRIES 



When a ripe raspberry is picked the fruit separates 

 from the receptacle. When a ripe blackberry is picked 

 the fruit remains upon the receptacle. This is the 

 most important difference between the raspberries and 

 the blackberries and dewberries. Both belong to the 

 great genus Rubus, the commonly cultivated blackberries 

 representing at least three distinct wild species native to 

 America. 



As a cultivated fruit the Blackberry has been known 

 only since about 1840. Various varieties have been 

 introduced since that time, but even yet there are com- 

 paratively few of these. The abundance of the wild 

 blackberries, often to be had for the picking, has prob- 

 ably been an important reason why the plants are so 

 little cultivated. Well-grown garden fruit of the im- 

 proved varieties is, however, greatly superior to the 

 wild blackberries. 



Blackberries normally reproduce from true root- 

 suckers sent up around the parent plant. When cut 

 off and transplanted these suckers thrive and new 

 plantations are commonly started with them. Plants 

 also grow readily from root-cuttings, and this method 

 is often used for propagating them. In most northern 

 regions the transplanting should be done in early spring, 

 though farther south it may be done in autumn. The 

 newly set plants should be cut back to a height of five 

 or six inches. 



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