134 BUSH-FRUITS 



fruits; and if so, will it prove equal to the occasion and 

 able to fill it properly ? Coming, as it does, so early in 

 the season, before the first blackberries are ripe, the 

 first question may be fairly answered in the affirmative. 

 It is to be feared, however, that as we find it, the dew- 

 berry is unqualified to fill properly the place which its 

 co -laborers in the garden are ready to accede to it, and 

 unless it can be induced to correct some of its bad 

 habits and overcome its failings, the place is even yet 

 likely to be taken by some young, vigorous and early - 

 ripening blackberry. One serious though excusable 

 fault of the dewberry is its rough exterior and uncul- 

 tured behavior. It will wound a friend upon the 

 slightest provocation, with no thought of an apology. 

 Yet, bad as its thorns are, this is not its most serious 

 failing. Like many other young people, it is not given 

 to steady, industrious habits. It makes large and 

 glowing promises, but too often fails to fulfil them. It 

 must be said in palliation of its shortcomings, however, 

 that the dewberry has not had fair treatment. The 

 energetic, industrious and aspiring ones have been 

 compelled to associate with the idle and thriftless. 

 While lack of fertilization and consequent production 

 of imperfect fruit can hardly be denied as a family 

 trait, it is no doubt true that the more productive mem- 

 bers have suffered unjustly, owing to the behavior of 

 the rogues of the household. There is no disputing the 

 fact that stock of the Lucretia dewberry, as sold about 

 the country, has been badly mixed. As received and 

 grown at the Cornell gardens, it comprises two distinct 

 sorts, one with small blossoms, more delicate growth, 



