THORNLESS BLACKBERRY 225 



the blackberries of the older type retain a meas- 

 ure of interest. 



MATERIALS FOR DEVELOPMENT 



The chief American wild species, which fur- 

 nished material for the development of the races 

 just named, are the common Eastern black- 

 berry (Eubus nigrobaccus) , familiar everywhere 

 throughout northeastern America, and a closely 

 related form, considered by some botanists a 

 mere variety, known as Rubus sativus. 



The common wild plant is an upright grower, 

 stout, has little recurving canes that are usually 

 deeply furrowed lengthwise, and clothed with 

 stout more or less hooked prickles. 



The other species or variety is slightly more 

 erect, with fuller and firmer canes, differing 

 somewhat also as to shape of leaves. It bears 

 berries that are usually rounded, generally soft 

 and juicy, and of superior flavor. At my old 

 home in New England this variety grew abun- 

 dantly on sandy soil, being one of the best wild 

 blackberries in that vicinity. Very early I had 

 noticed that this plant was inclined to vary 

 widely. For example, the vines, although usu- 

 ally stiff upright growers, sometimes more re- 

 sembled the common blackberry, or even tended 

 to take on the trailing habits of the dewberry. 



8 Vol. 4 Bur. 



