BLACKBERRIES. 199 



because it is so wide-spread a blessing it meets with less con- 

 sideration than it deserves. Only a few years ago it was 

 regarded in this country, as it still is abroad, merely as a 

 bramble. Of late, however, attempts have been made to 

 originate "prize berries" by planting the seed, but so far 

 Dame Nature has the best of it, as all the finest varieties 

 now in cultivation are from chance seedlings found grow- 

 ing wild. 



For instance, the well-known Kittatinny blackberry was 

 found in the mountains in Warren County, N. J.; its fruit 

 is large, very large under good culture, sweet, rich, and 

 melting, but, like all its race, hard and sour when eaten 

 prematurely. 



For home use they should not be picked until fully ripe, 

 but if they are to be shipped then gather them when half 

 ripe, and pack with the same care bestowed upon straw- 

 berries. 



There are two species of blackberries, out of the hun- 

 dred and fifty scattered over the world, that have furnished 

 all our best varieties for cultivation ; these are the Rvbus 

 villosus or High Blackberry, and RvJbus canadensis or 

 Dewberry. Both of these are found in Florida, and both 

 are worthy of close attention, and wherever fine bushes 

 are found they should be carefully transplanted and culti- 

 vated ; they should, however, be in a dormant state when 

 moved, and if this precaution be taken there will be very 

 little danger of the plants dying, as they will stand a great 

 deal of hard treatment. 



The soil should be light, mellow, moist, and not over 

 rich ; the same manures recommended for the strawberry 

 are suitable for the blackberry, but the quantity should be 

 less ; too rich soil will produce a rank growth of canes, but 

 lessen the quantity of fruit. 



The rows should be seven or eight feet apart for field 



