LONG-CLU8TER TYPE 305 



Th<- botanical features of the blackberry are obscure 

 and variable. This is true of the genus Etubus as a 

 whole, l>ut particularly of the groups which comprise 

 the blackberries and dewberries. It is probable that 

 no two monographers will ever agree upon the limits of 

 the species and natural varieties in these groups. 

 Borne classification of these forms musl be made, how- 

 ever, before we can understand the evolution of the 

 garden types, and I therefore ask the reader's forbear- 

 ance if I Beem to refine this discussion beyond the 

 needs of a popular narrative. 



'I'lf High-bush Blackberry and its Kin 



The commonest blackberry of North America is an 

 upright an<l very thorny and villous bush, which pro- 

 duces a Ion;; raceme of flowers <■ i ml fruit. The type 

 of this Bpecies may be assumed to be that shown in 

 Pigs. 59 and 60. 



It i> often known as the "high-bush blackberry." 

 The particular marks of this plant are the tall stature; 

 the long stalks to the leaves ;in<l the leaflets; the long- 

 ovate, rather thin and shallow- toothed pointed leaflets; 

 the very long, open and Leafless Bimple raceme, with th«' 

 slender branchlets or pedicels standing off from the cen- 

 tral -trni ,-it ;i very obtuse angle. The lowest flowers in 

 the raceme open first. The calyx-lobes are long and 

 narrow. The fruits are oblong and thimble-like, Arm, 

 aromatic and sweet when ri|><\ In cultivation, this 

 type of blackberry is repreHented by the Taylor and 

 Ancient Briton. For horticultural purposes the group 

 may be called the "Long- eluRter Blackberries." 



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