1862. 



THE ILLINOIS FAEMEK. 



53 



the bush ; I did not estimate it at over three 

 quarts, which I know to be the fact ; if picked 

 when ripe the fruit is of good quality. 



THE EGYPTIAN BLaCKBERET. 



Two years ago last spring I procured a half 

 dozen plants of this variety, which have borne a 

 few berries this year about one-half the size of 

 the New Rochelle, and about one quarter the 

 quantity of fruit on same size canes of New Ro- 

 chelle ; of good flavor, I might add with protec- 

 tion, 



DORCHESTEE. 



Bears well with me ; requires protection, and 

 is a sweeter berry ; the protection of fruit about 

 half compared to New Rochelle on same size 

 canes. 



Newman's thornless. 



Has borne goon crops of good sized berries of 

 tolerably good flavor : has the advantage that it 

 can be laid down as easily as the raspberry, which 

 is not the case with the New Rocbolle, as those 

 who have tried it can testify ; requires protec- 

 tion. 



Racine, Wisconsin. Jas. Ozanne, je." 



Merritt — The Lawton blackberry is a favorite 

 fruit with me ; I have had an acre of plants for 

 three year? ; they need protection ; after the 

 bearing shoots are cut out I and two men with 

 spades can lay them all down in a day ; I scratch 

 and loosen the earth with a rake on the side to- 

 wards which the bushes are to be laid down, and 

 then push them over with the head of the rake ; 

 while the men throw on the earth I put on a little 

 rough litter; bend them in any direction ['must 

 be south here,' says Douglas.] I plant six feet 

 apart and cultivate each way ; stake them in the 

 spring ; before covering in the fall, I cut off the 

 main stalk nearly down to where it bends over 

 and the side branches to fifteen or eighteen 

 inches ; where there is no snow, I would cover 

 the stalk ; last spring when I got ready to plow 

 I found I had only about half enough canes on 

 the acre ; I manured in June with a wheelbarrow 

 load to every two hills; they were a "sight" 

 when they blossomed ; the crop was estimated at 

 from 100 to 150 bushels, and sent them to this 

 market ; brought $4 50 to $5 per bushel ; four 

 stalks iu a hill are enough ; I sell the sprouts or 

 cut them down ; I think from 120 to 150 bushels 

 can be raised on an acre ; Some of the ground I 

 mulched with cut corn stalks, which was an im- 

 provement ; my soil is a gravelly sand with loam, 

 sub soil gravelly and open, but not leachy ; the 

 berries were uniform in size, except in the last of 

 the reason. 



Douglas — My experience corresponds with that 

 of the last gentleman ; I think thev will not do 

 well on black soil ; cut off the shoots early in 

 September and the wood will harden ; I lean 

 them to to the south to keep the sun off, and 

 cover with old straw, etc.; plants from root cut- 

 tings are better tean suckers ; I wish here to add 

 a caution in regard to plants; I got the Dorches- 

 ter of Hovey ; I found some of the plants had 

 green shoots and a sweet oblong berry, while 



others purple and not good ; berries are better 

 shaded. 



Asa Kennicott had had the same berry from 

 EUwanger & Barry ; it was a humbug, and they 

 should be reprimanded. 



Starr — I have grown both the Lawton and the 

 Dorchester ; the formers needs no protection, but 

 grows and leaves well; I do not like the taste, it 

 is too acid ; the Dorchester is indifferent. 



Huggins — I am glad to find the Lawton has 

 some friends ; I recommend it and will show 

 friend Starr some sweet ones at Woodburn ; I 

 mulch heavily and have deep land; I can sit in 

 the shade of the bushes and pick them. 



It was stated that native blackberries could be 

 purchased in the season of picking at Centralia 

 and other points below there on the I. C. R. R. at 

 about seventy-five cents a bushel, and the diffi- 

 culy in the way of shipping was the two express 

 companies meeting at Oentralia, both wishing to 

 take all the profits of the trade, and the result 

 was that thousands of bushels that would have 

 been shipped rotted on the ground. The Law- 

 ton needs winter protection and cutting back in 

 all cases ; it is otherwise tender and of no value. 

 The last season's crop was probably the best ever 

 grown in the West. Our confidence in it is not 

 of the sanguine description, but with good cul- 

 ture, shelter and winter protection good crops 

 can be had. The fruit is very good ; needs 

 thorough ripening before picking. 



EASPBEERIES. 



Allen. 



Asa Kennicott — It is good, but needs another 

 variety with it to fertilize it ; with the Fastolff 

 and Brinckle's Orange on each side it boro well. 



Merritl — I have had the kind six feet from 

 aaother variety for three years, but no good fruit. 



Asa Kennicott — I would refer to Prof. Blaney, 

 who gave me the hint for a confirmation of my 

 views. 



Ellsworth — It is a fancy crop. 



Dunlap — It is generally no crop at all ; for the 

 prairie a worthless variety, tend it as you may. 



Phoenix — I have been told that cultivated in 

 hil's and kept properly thinned, it is good, but it 

 is not with me. 



Smith — Elliott says the canes must not be too 

 thick. 



Huggins — My experience corresponds with Dr. 

 Kennicott's ; I procured it of Mr. Allen, put it 

 by the side of the red raspberry, and raised very 

 fine fruit; removed it two years ago, and now I 

 get no fruit; I am not so much in favor of it as 

 I have been. 



Ozanne — I had it four years in hills and in 

 clusters with the Red Antwerp within six feet, 

 but never had a perfect berry. 



Asa Kcnicott — I think there is too much de- 

 sire to shove off work and fruit that requires it, 

 on to the amateur list. 



Overman — The millions will not fake it. 



