120 Bush-Fruits 



have become very generally known at that time, for in 

 1879 the editor of "The Gardener's Monthly" writes, 1 

 "Of true dewberries, no improved kinds are known under 

 culture." In a previous number of the same volume, 

 however, N. H. Lindsay, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, is 

 reported as having cultivated two kinds of wild dew- 

 berries in a small way for home use, taking plants from 

 the woods. It seems that even he did not know how to 

 propagate them, although a nurseryman and presumably 

 an experienced propagator. 



Even as late as 1884 the editor of "The Country Gentle- 

 man" says (page 329): "We are not aware that the dew- 

 berry (or running brier) is cultivated for sale by any 

 nurseryman. . . . The wild dewberry is often found 

 along neglected fence-rows or in rocky or sterile fields, 

 from which, if desired, it may be transplanted to gardens, 

 and treated like garden raspberries." These statements 

 serve to show how recent is the cultivation of the dew- 

 berry in anything like a commercial extent. It was not 

 until the introduction of the Lucretia, which was brought 

 into general notice about 1886, that the dewberry began 

 to occupy any prominent place in American horticulture. 



So much for the history of the dewberry. But what 

 of its future? Is there a place for it among our garden 

 fruits; and, if so, will it be able to fill that place as it 

 should? Coming, as it does, so early in the season, before 

 the first blackberries are ripe, it is more desirable than it 

 otherwise would be. Until improved by breeding and se- 



1 Gardener's Monthly, Vol. 21, p. 150. See Bailey, Bui. 34, 

 Cornell Exp. Sta., for a sketch of dewberry history; also " Evolution 

 of our Native Fruits." 



