270 



THE GAKDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



The American gardeners have themselves dis- 

 carded some of the sorts which were sent out 

 about fifteen years ago as excellent. 



The following notes on American Blackberries 

 were published in Garden and Forest in 1890: — 



" Of the numerous sorts tried I would select 



for the garden Agawam, Erie, Minnewaski, and 

 Taylor. Confined to two sorts, I should per- 

 haps take Erie and Agawam; but should not 

 like to miss Taylor. For market the same sorts 

 hold good, with Snyder added. 



"The Blackberry has been improved far more 



than is generally known. Kittatinny caused 

 great disappointment, and led many growers 

 to discard Blackberries from their grounds. 



"I grow with cultivation for two or three 

 years, but let the plants ultimately take pos- 

 session of the soil and care for themselves. 

 The} 7 do best let alone. Cut out the dead canes, 

 and cut back the new ones. Weeds and grass 

 will not hold their own with Blackberries in 

 good soil. 



"The kind of soil for the Blackberry is in- 

 variably dry, well drained, strong, clay if pos- 

 sible • but well drained it must be. If I intended 

 to cultivate I should have the rows 10 feet 

 apart and a row of Potatoes between." 



Fig. 1(155.— American Blackberry. 



Agaicam. — An excellent sort, hardy, bears grand crops 

 and invariably of pleasant flavour. 



Erie. — Very hardy, a superb croppsr; fruit large, jet 

 black, in every way excellent. 



Mvrmewaski. — A large, handsome and early berry; 

 canes not so strong as in some, but entirely hardy. 



Taylor. — A real acquisition; the size of the berry above 

 medium and the quality very good. Growth strong and 

 productive. 



Logan Berry (fig. 1056). — This American 

 introduction is said to be the result of crossing 

 a Raspberry with a Blackberry, and promises 

 to become a popular fruit in this country. In 

 growth it bears a strong resemblance to a 

 Bramble, while the fruit, borne on strong 

 sprays, is of the size, form, and colour of a 

 common Mulberry, also resembling the latter 

 fruit in point of juiciness and acidity. It ripens 

 in July, a long time in advance of Blackberries, 

 and is a most refreshing hot-weather fruit. It 

 is found that seedlings are comparatively worth- 

 less, and propagation ought to be effected, 

 therefore, by layering the tips of the current 

 season's growths in the autumn, as advised in 

 the case of Brambles. When well-rooted, these 



