202 Southern Gardener^ s Practical Manual 



Varieties. — The old Red Dutch is still popular. 

 Cherry and Versailles are the most popular and most 

 generally cultivated varieties. Victoria is excellent for 

 general culture and variety of uses. 



Wilder, White Grape and W^hite Imperial are new 

 and desirable varieties. 



The early varieties follow in ripening the late straw- 

 berries and raspberries, and the later varieties continue 

 the season until grapes are ripe. There are few fruits that 

 are used in a greater variety of ways than the currant. 



The principal enemies are the currant -worm and the 

 currant -fly, the former stripping the leaves and the 

 latter depositing its eggs under the skin of the fruit. 



BLACKBERRIES 



On account of the large quantity of blackberries 

 found growing wild in the South, this important berry 

 has not yet been cultivated to a great extent. Bushels 

 of fine fruits are gathered from the neglected fields and 

 roadsides, and sold in the local markets at from ten to 

 fifteen cents per gallon. 



The blackberry does well on almost any kind of soil, 

 but is best suited to a deep, sandy loam. The fruit is 

 greatly improved by cultivation, and enormous crops 

 will be produced if given the proper care and attention. 



Propagation and Pruning. — Numerous suckers spring 

 up from the roots of the old plants during the spring 

 and summer. These suckers will be well rooted by fall 

 and ready to be taken up and planted in rows eight feet 

 apart and four feet in the row. The suckers that sprout 



