338 



PRUNING THE BLACKBERRY. 



our common sorts to twenty or thirty inches, de- 

 j^ending, of course, upon the strength of the shoot. 

 As the buds at the top of the cane bear the earliest 

 fruit, the season may be extended if some are left 

 unpruned, others cut as directed for the main crop, 

 and some as low as one foot, for the latest supply. 

 During one season the frosts held 

 off, and quarts of berries of the 

 Belle de Fontenay were gathered on 

 the sixth of November, in the vicin- 

 ity of Boston. 



^ The BlacJiherri/. This is such a 

 delicious and beautiful fruit for the 

 dessert that it is surprising it has 

 been permitted to be only a nui- 

 sance in most gardens. If they are 

 pruned properly, they can be as 

 easily cultivated as any other fruit, 

 and with little care yield wonderful 

 returns. When the plants have 

 been set at regular distances, the 

 suckers which are allowed to grow 

 should be kept as near as possible 

 to these places, and only a sufficient 

 number grown to replace those 

 which are to be cut out after producing a crop. If 

 an unnecessary number are allowed to start, they 

 draw away the sap, and prevent the production of 



