126 BIGGIE BERRY BOOK. 



their growth. But do not forget the cultivator in 

 spring and summer. 



As to growing what are called hoed crops in young 

 plantations of raspberry and blackberry, the question 

 is one for the individual operator. It will perhaps 

 do no harm to put in a row of something in the 

 middle of the eight-foot space between the lines of 

 blackberries, but this cropping can be done only the 

 first year. 



I have no doubt whatever about the blackberry 

 being profitable if properly managed ; no doubt about 

 its ability to yield $200 per acre near good markets, 

 under high culture. 



VARIETIES. 



Prof. Iy. H. Bailey groups the garden blackberries under five 

 heads, as follows : 



Long-cluster (Rubus villosus) Taylor, Early Cluster, Ancient 

 Briton. 



Short-cluster (Rubus villosus, var. sativus) New Rochelle or 

 I^awton, Kittatiuny, Suyder, Agawam, Erie, Minnewaski, Mer- 

 sereau. 



I,eafy-cluster (Rubus villosus, var. frondosus) Early Har- 

 vest, Bruutou's Early. 



lyoose-cluster (Rubus villosus crossed with Rubus canadensis, 

 or blackberry crossed with dewberry) Wilson Early, Wilson 

 Junior, Sterling Thornless, Rathbun, and probably Thompson's 

 Early Mammoth. 



Sand blackberry (Rubus cuneifolius) Tree Blackberry, 

 Topsy. (No cultivated form especially valuable.) 



Remembering that Rubus villosus is the common high-bush 

 or wild blackberry, and that Rubus canadensis is the common 

 low-bush blackberry or dewberry, we get a good idea of the 

 origin of our highly- valued garden sorts. Blackberry culture is 

 yet in its infancy. Bailey says that it is not yet fifty years since 

 the first named blackberry, the Dorchester, was introduced to 

 public notice. The New Rochelle or I,awton was first exhibited 

 in 1857. 



