No. 4.] SMALL FRUITS. 237 



The Blackberry. 



This very healthful and delicious fruit is easily grown, 

 produces a large crop, and, but for its habit of spreading over 

 the garden, would be more generally planted. This diffi- 

 culty, however, is easily overcome if all suckers that come 

 up outside the prescribed limits of the rows or hills are 

 treated as weeds, and are pulled up instead of being cut off 

 at the surface as is the common practice. It should never 

 be planted in the corner of the garden, where the suckers 

 can run out into other land, but if possible in the centre of 

 the garden, where it can be seen upon all sides. 



Soil. 



The soil it requires for its best growth is about the same 

 as for the red raspberry, though it will succeed fairly well 

 upon any soil, if not full of standing water. In a heavy 

 undrained soil they are more likely to winter-kill than upon 

 one of a sandy or gravelly nature, while upon the latter they 

 need an extra amount of plant food. 



Planting and Training, 



The time of planting, method of training and pruning are 

 the same as for the red raspberry. The distance at which 

 they are planted varies from two to four by eight feet where 

 they are to be grown in rows, to five by eight feet where they 

 are to be grown in hills. In fertilizing the blackberry field 

 or plot the same kind and quantity of fertilizer should be used 

 as for the red raspberry. 



Vd7'ieties, Insects and Diseases. 



The varieties best adapted to the home garden or the field 

 are the same, and the Agawam, Snyder, and Taylor's Pro- 

 lific are certainly the best of those fully tested. No insects 

 interfere seriously with its growth, but the fall and spring 

 " orange rust " is often abundant and destructive. Spray- 

 ing as for the raspberries will in a measure overcome it, but 

 it is better also to cut out all rusted canes and leaves as soon 

 as they appear. 



