THE COUNTRY HOME [CHAPTER 
berry that grows with a sprawling cane. The 
Wachusetts is advertised as thornless, but is not. 
The Wilson and Rathburn varieties are undoubt- 
edly extremely valuable in some sections. ‘The 
Agawam is a very sweet berry, but of a sprawling 
growth. The Taylor is one of the best in flavor. 
I have a seedling of my own, which I call Red 
Jacket, that resembles the Snyder, but is superior 
to that variety. Several new berries are just com- 
ing into the market, and of these I judge that 
Blower’s will prove to be of the highest quality 
and value. 
The planting and the culture of the blackberry 
are very similar to that of the raspberry. You 
must cut back the canes when planted, close to the 
ground; set in rows at least eight feet apart, and 
plant one foot in the row. Run your cultivator 
rather shallow among your blackberries, so as to 
break the roots as little as possible. ‘These roots 
make a mat throughout the whole soil. They will 
not trouble you much in running down hill, but will 
run up hill with rapidity. Keep the soil rich with 
wood ashes and plenty of compost, that I have de- 
scribed elsewhere. Barnyard manure will do no 
harm as a rule, while it serves also as a mulch. 
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