UNIQUE QUALITY FRUITS 31 



often of a brilliant red, though sometimes paler, 

 but are extremely soft so that they can be picked 

 with difficulty. The fruit, though edible, is of 

 little value, being somewhat acid, and lacking 

 flavor. 



Yet the aristocratic lineage of the plant makes 

 it seem probable that its fruit may be susceptible 

 of development. 



I have attempted to cross the thimbleberry 

 with nearly all cultivated varieties of raspberry 

 and blackberry, but have never succeeded in 

 effecting hybridization, unless this has been 

 effected in some hybrid seedlings of last season, 

 which from the foliage would appear to have 

 resulted from a cross. 



The Rubus deliciosus, the Colorado species, is 

 similar to the eastern one in most respects, ex- 

 cept that the blossoms are white. All three 

 species are almost thornless; the Colorado spe- 

 cies practically wholly thornless, though the 

 fruit of none of them is of any value. The hardi- 

 ness of the thimbleberry and its trailing habit 

 suggest interesting and unexpected possibilities 

 for its fruit, if a cross could be effected that 

 would introduce the lacking elements of size and 

 texture and flavor. 



Other Rubuses that seem worthy of attention 

 are the Bridal Rose, Rubus rosceflorus, and the 



