THORNLESS BLACKBERRY 229 



Such a report is typical. The prolific bearing 

 of the Himalaya is the subject of astonished com- 

 ment from everyone on seeing this extraordinary 

 vine for the first time. 



The fruit itself is of medium to large size, un- 

 usually sweet, and spicy, with small seeds, and 

 extra fine in quality. The berries grow in clus- 

 ters sometimes a foot or more across, and they 

 continue to ripen after most other blackberries 

 are gone. 



If not pruned, the vines of the Himalaya 

 will grow to a length of one hundred feet 

 or more, like grapevines. They appear to 

 be absolutely resistant to disease, and have 

 recently shown the ability to resist the extreme 

 cold of Michigan and the far Northern 

 States. It should be known that the Himalaya 

 takes a year or so more to come to its best 

 bearing condition than ordinary blackberries, 

 but when in full bearing a single plant 

 will produce as much as a dozen ordinary 

 blackberry vines. 



The elimination of the thorns is a matter to 

 which sufficient reference has already been made. 

 As to abundant bearing, nothing more is to be 

 desired. The improved Himalaya at present 

 produces all the berries that a vine can possibly 

 support. 



