221 



and Western Asia, which is extremely hardy and will stand extremes . 

 of heat, drought, and frost. This fruit is popular in the countries of 

 Northern Europe, being eaten fresh and preserved in various ways. 

 The fruit also has the advantage of lasting for a considerable time, 

 and till late in the season. This species might possibly prove worthy 

 of cultivation in the cooler portions of Australasia. The American 

 Dewbury is the product of Rubus Canadensis, which is extensively 

 distributed over the North American continent. It is a trailing 

 prickly plant with large black fruit of excellent quality, which ij3 

 largely used in Canada and the United States. This species and its 

 varieties may also be introduced with advantage to some localities. 

 The Cloudberry of Northern Europe is Rubus Chamcemoras,. a her- 

 baceous perennial species whjch flourishes in cold regions. The 

 berries which are as large as small Strawberries, are in colour from red 

 to amber, very wholesome, and are largely used fresh or preserved, in 

 Scotland, Sweden, Norway, and some parts of Russia. This plant 

 might possibly succeed in most alpine regions, and prove worthy of 

 cultivation. Several Indian, Japanese, and other species of Rubus 

 may also possibly be utilized with advantage. 



CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION. 



All the species and varieties of the Bramble family are easily 

 cultivated, as most of them will readily adapt themselves to soils of 

 different character, though they thrive to tha greatest perfection in a 

 rich sandy loam. They are better adapted for the cooler than other 

 districts, and more particularly for alpine regions, where the fruit 

 of all kinds is richer in flavour than .when produced in warmer 

 localities. Propagation is readily effected by suckers from the roots, 

 or cuttings, which strike freely in sand or light soil if put in early in 

 the spring. Plants may also be readily obtained from layers, as 

 branches quickly produce roots if covered with a little soil. The 

 trailing kinds require the support of a fence to keep them up, and 

 may be successfully cultivated as hedges round orchards or paddocks. 

 As a matter of course, the plants must be well cut back every winter 

 to keep them within bounds, and care should be taken not to let 

 growth get too dense. The following list includes most of the best 

 kinds either species or varieties, some of the latter being hybrids of 

 uncertain origin, and others having as much of the character of 

 the Raspberry as the Blackberry, though classed as such : 



SPECIES AND VARIETIES. 



Common Blackberry (English Blackberry). Fruit medium size, 

 roundish-conical, deep shining black, sweet, juicy, and pleasantly 

 flavoured. Strong in habit, trailing, and a prolific bearer in cool 

 mountain districts. 



Cloudberry/. Fruit medium-sized, colour from red to amber, juicy 

 and slightly sub-acid, habit herbaceous, and will thrive only in moist 

 alpine regions. 



