144 BUSH-FRUITS 



is desirable to get rid of them, they still persist with 

 a tenacity worthy of a better purpose. They seem 

 often to be unproductive for the first two or three 

 years, afterward coming into more uniform and pro- 

 lific bearing, and continuing in many cases for a 

 number of j^ears. 



KILLING OUT THE PATCH 



When it becomes necessary to rid a plot of ground 

 of them, vigorous measures must be adopted. While 

 they do not propagate naturally by suckers, yet when 

 the roots are torn and broken, pieces which are left in 

 the ground have a remarkable ability for bursting forth 

 into plants. The method advised for destroying the 

 blackberry is the best that can be recommended for 

 killing off dewberries ; namely, mowing and plowing 

 directly after fruiting, frequent cultivation afterwards, 

 and replowing before winter. 



HARDINESS 



The inherent hardiness of the dewberry may not 

 be equal to that of many varieties of the blackberry, 

 yet its habit of growth tends to afford it protection 

 which enables it to withstand the cold of winter, in 

 most cases, as well as the blackberries. If not en- 

 tirely hardy in some localities, the ease with which it 

 can be protected in winter is certainly a point in its 

 favor. The older canes will naturally be cut away 

 before winter, and in any event the protection of 

 them is of no benefit. The young canes, which lie 



