THE BLACKBERRIES 



ease in many sections. It attacks the leaves 

 and colors them a bright orange on the lower 

 surfaces. The leaves curl and the plant is 

 stunted in growth. Infected plants usually 

 have the trouble year after year and are ren- 

 dered worthless. No practicable cure is known, 

 and diseased plants should be removed and 

 burned to prevent a spread of the infection. 

 Modern varieties are less likely to be troubled 

 than those of a few years back. The disease 

 often attacks seedlings or rogues which have 

 crept in with the nursery stock, while such 

 varieties as Snyder and Eldorado are un- 

 harmed. 



Harvesting 



When blackberry rows are kept narrow and 

 pruning is attended to, the berries are not dif- 

 ficult to pick. If the rows are allowed to 

 spread, however, until the centers are not 

 easily reached, it becomes a somewhat trying 

 job. 



The most common mistake in harvesting 

 blackberries is to pick them too soon. The 

 blackberry has an unfortunate habit of turn- 

 ing black before it is fully ripened, and if 

 picked immediately the acidity is most pro- 

 nounced. Fruit growers who ship blackberries 

 some distance to market must harvest the fruit 



85 



