BLACKBERRIES. 



lanes and fields in September reveal the blackberry or bramble in all its 

 rich abundance a truly marvellous crop of fruit, bushels upon bushels in the 

 parishes, tons upon tons in the counties. Vast quantities are gathered, and vastly 

 more fruit wasted. Nevertheless, blackberries are esteemed by rich and poor for 

 their good qualities, either raw or cooked, in pies and puddings, or preserved, the jam 

 being wholesome and of a very rich flavour. They also furnish an excellent home- 

 made wine. So long as blackberries can be had for the gathering, little stimulus will 

 be given to cultivation, but they do not grow wild everywhere, and, besides, the best 

 varieties well grown in gardens are, both in size and quality, far superior to hedgerow 

 fruit. 



SPECIES AND VARIETIES. 



The blackberries suitable for cultivation have originated from three species 1, 

 Eubus fruticosus, the common bramble, a native of Britain ; 2, E. laciniatus, or Cut- 

 leaved bramble, a desirable species long established in this country; 3, E. villosus, 

 a native of North America. 



There are many sub-species of E. fruticosus, of which maybe mentioned E. f. cocsitis, 

 the Blue bramble, or Dewberry ; E. f. corylifolius, the Hazel-leaved bramble ; and 

 E. f. suberectus, the Eed-fruited blackberry, which differ from the type as their names 

 indicate, but they are rarely grown for utilitarian purposes, nor are many others, which 

 do not call for enumeration here. There is, however, one variation from the type, 

 though not recognised as a distinct variety by botanists, that merits the attention of 

 cultivators. It is found in various parts of the country, notably in Hertfordshire and 

 Warwickshire, and differs from the majority in producing fewer canes from the root 

 stem. These grow semi-erect to a height of about 4 feet, then arch over to the ground, 

 and extend to a length of 10 feet or more. The canes produce long side-growths or 

 laterals the second year, and bear large, purplish-black, shining, and richly-flavoured 

 fruits. When reference is made in the gardening press to the improvement effected by 

 cultivation in the common blackberry, the experience is probably founded on what may 

 be popularly termed the Warwickshire variety. 

 VOL. ii, P 



