THE COUNTRY HOME [chapter 



berry that grows with a sprawling cane. The 

 Wachusetts is advertised as thornless, but is not. 

 The Wilson and Rathburn varieties are undoubt- 

 edly extremely valuable in some sections. The 

 Agawam is a very sweet berry, but of a sprawling 

 growth. The Taylor is one of the best in flavor. 

 I have a seedling of my own, which I call Red 

 Jacket, that resembles the Snyder, but is superior 

 to that variety. Several new berries are just com- 

 ing into the market, and of these I judge that 

 Blower's will prove to be of the highest quality 

 and value. 



The planting and the culture of the blackberry 

 are very similar to that of the raspberry. You 

 must cut back the canes when planted, close to the 

 ground; set in rows at least eight feet apart, and 

 plant one foot in the row. Run your cultivator 

 rather shallow among your blackberries, so as to 

 break the roots as little as possible. These roots 

 make a mat throughout the whole soil. They will 

 not trouble you much in running down hill, but will 

 run up hill with rapidity. Keep the soil rich with 

 wood ashes and plenty of compost, that I have de- 

 scribed elsewhere. Barnyard manure will do no 

 harm as a rule, while it serves also as a mulch. 



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