THE COUNTRY HOME [chapter 



will not last more than three years in a bearing 

 condition. 



The blackberry is ugly in its disposition, and in 

 its cane has yielded least of all to civilization. It is 

 curious that this magnificent fruit has come along 

 down to us with so many friends, yielding such a 

 delicious fruit, but in no way giving up its defense 

 against the enemies that it had in the wild state. 

 Old Humphrey says, however, that "Ye black- 

 berry is a prime teacher of patience and endurance. 

 It scratcheth and teareth, in order that it may make 

 us sweeter-tempered. Whoever filleth his pail with 

 this delightful fruit, will go home cheerful in spite 

 of ye tatters and ye thorns." In our gardens we 

 are getting some magnificent varieties, if we only 

 knew where to put them. I have found it con- 

 venient to have a double row of blackberries grow- 

 ing along a side of my property which is easily en- 

 tered by strolling boys. I find that since these have 

 grown the lads have forgotten where my vineyard 

 is. They will walk many a rod further, on their 

 route to the swimming pond, rather than under- 

 take to cross my lot. The blackberry needs a 

 moist place, but never wet, and it demands deep, 

 rich, strong soil. I have grown it without culti- 



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