Uses 105 



sunshine, there came several cloudy ones, and the berries 

 began to mold, so that the netting had to be removed. 

 Those treated with sugar molded less than the others, 

 and stuck to the screens less in drying. August 12 both 

 lots were taken up and weighed. They appeared to be 

 as dry as raspberries usually are when put into the curing 

 room, but quickly began to mold again when put in a pile 

 together. The four quarts dried without sugar weighed 

 at this date one pound ten and one-half ounces. The four 

 quarts dried with sugar weighed one pound fifteen and 

 one-half ounces. From these weights, it appears that not 

 over twelve to fourteen pounds of dried fruit to the bushel 

 can be expected. The weight of sugar applied seems to be 

 retained, and possibly increases the weight slightly in 

 addition, by retaining more of the juices of the fruit. 

 Those treated with sugar seemed to remain in a softer and 

 better condition for cooking. Judging from this attempt, 

 the blackberry dries very slowly, and under present condi- 

 tions, at least, there seems to be little promise that it 

 can be profitably grown for evaporating purposes. The 

 quality of dried blackberries is low. They seem to be 

 lacking in sugar and pronounced qualities. 



The value of the blackberry in household uses is not 

 fully appreciated. Ancient writers were inclined to lay 

 great stress on the medicinal qualities of all plants and 

 fruits, and while we are wont to smile at many of the sup- 

 posed virtues there recorded, we might well profit by 

 studying more closely the uses and virtues of the black- 

 berry. The value of blackberry 'wine or brandy in bowel 

 troubles is well known. It is reported that blackberries 

 preserved in one of these forms were found by army sur- 



