346 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



make the rows of blackcaps seven feet ai)art. Blackberries 

 need more room. Seven or eight feet apart is none too far 

 for the vioforous-OTowino^ varieties. 



The methods of planting are simple. In a large waj^, it 

 can be most conveniently done by plowing a furrow where 

 the row is to be, and setting the plants with the hands in this 

 furrow. Only enough earth to fully protect the plants need 

 be thrown into the furrow, leaving the remainder to be filled 

 in by subsequent cultivation. 



The selection of varieties is largely a personal and local 

 matter. Each grower should take the fruit of his choice, if 

 it will tlirive in his locality. Some varieties are generally 

 successful, while others thrive only in limited areas. Vari- 

 eties of blackcaps have changed more than those of the other 

 classes, and those sorts Avhich were most prominent fifteen 

 years ago are little grown now, except perhaps in the evap- 

 orating industry. Kansas and Nemaha are two ^vhich have 

 done well in our trials, one being early, the other late. With 

 red raspberries Cuthbert is still the leader. This is a late 

 berry, too dark in color ; but as yet I have looked in vain for 

 an earlier and brighter berry which is equally good. In 

 some parts of New England I am told that the Phcenix is 

 giving good satisfaction as an earlier berry, but there is no 

 well- tested kind that can rank with Cuthbert. In black- 

 berries Snyder is the hardiest sort, but not of good quality. 

 Taylor is a much better berry, and nearly as hardy. Early 

 Cluster is a fine early variety, which has given good satisfac- 

 tion with us, but which is not uniformly popular. 



Some varieties of bi'am])les are greatly helped by being 

 planted in proximity to other kinds, so that interpoUina- 

 tiou may take place. This may be more inii)ortant than we 

 think, even with varieties which do not absolutely need it. 

 It is a simple thing to do in any case, and is a point always 

 worth considering. All these fruits often show small and 

 imperfect berries, due to the fact that too few of the pistils 

 of a given bloom have been fecundated. 



