484 CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



Application of Manure. The blackberry loves very rich ground, 

 and plenty of well-rotted stable manure or compost, as described 

 in Chapter XIV, should be applied. It is a good plan to apply in 

 a thick covering all over the ground and between the canes as 

 soon as the patch is cleaned up in the fall. The early rains carry 

 down the soluble parts of the manure, and later in the season the 

 whole is plowed in between the rows, leaving a foot or more next 

 the plants to be carefully forked in, as the digging fork does not 

 cut the roots like the spade. 



Mulching. The mulch, to keep the ground moist and to obviate 

 summer cultivation, is very satisfactory where it is thoroughly 

 done. Apply coarse manure or partially-rotted straw and the like, 

 after the last spring cultivation, and use the hoe to keep down 

 weeds and suckers which come up between the rows. Some grow- 

 ers use mulch close to the canes, cultivating the remainder of the 

 ground between the rows. 



Bearing Age and Longevity. If blackberry plants are well 

 treated the first year after planting out, there will be considerable 

 fruit the following summer. How long the plants will bear satis- 

 factorily depends, also, on situation and treatment. Sometimes the 

 plants fail early ; even with good, generous treatment in good soil, 

 the old stool becomes weak, the shoots are thin, and the fruit 

 small. Some count about eight years as the profitable age of the 

 plant, and then cut out the plants and give the land a change. Of 

 course berry growers prepare for this by frequently making new 

 plantations. 



Varieties of the Blackberry. Comparatively few kinds are 

 largely grown. The Wilson Junior, Lawton, and Kittatinny were 

 formerly the prevailing kinds, ripening in the order named. The 

 Erie is favored by some as a middle season, variety. The 'Early 

 Harvest has been favorably reported by a number of growers. 

 These have, however, been largely superseded by a renamed vari- 

 ety, Crandall's Early, which is the earliest of the improve'd vari- 

 eties, and has a very long fruiting season. The fruit was named 

 after Dr. J. R. Crandall, of Auburn, who first fruited the variety 

 from plants given him by a stranger hailing from Texas, and the 

 proper name of the variety is probably Texas Early. It is a strong, 

 vigorous, hardy plant, very productive, of firm, handsome berries ; 

 resembles Lawton in canes, leaves, and flavor of fruit ; not given to 

 sprouting from running roots. 



Another variety which has advanced in favor is the Oregon 

 Evergreen, introduced from Oregon but not native nor originated 

 in that State. The late John Rock described it as follows : "Origin 

 unknown ; beautiful ; cut-leaved foliage, which it retains during 



