/. T. LOVETT, LITTLE SILVER, X. J. 



15 



ness of the Wilson. Dozens and almost hundreds were received and tested by me during that 

 time, but all were found wanting in one or more of the requirements demanded, until I secured 

 the Mersereau. In tMs we have even more than what I hoped for; as it is not only hardier in 

 cane than the ironclad Snyder and the berries are larger than those of the Wilson, but it is 

 more productive by far than either and the finest in quality of any blackberry ever produced. 



The Mesereau Blackberry originated in northwestern New York, where the mercury falls from 

 fifteen to twenty-five degrees below zero, and where it has stood in open-field culture for many years 

 without the slightest protection, and has never been injured. Peof. E. N. Bail,y, the foremost horti- 

 culturist in America, and who first described the Mersereau, says : "Its advantages over Snyder are its 

 large size, less tendency to turn red after being picked, better quality and a stronger habit. This 

 variety originated with J. M. Mersereau, Cayuga County, N. Y., for whom I am glad to name it." 



The cardinal properties of the Mersereau are 

 great size, luscious flavor, great hardiness of cane, 

 and great productiveness. But these are not its 

 only merits. Its size and form are best shown by 

 the annexed engraving of a cluster made from a 

 photograph and the engraving of a dish on the last 

 page of cover. In hardiness it is doubtless with- 

 out an equal among blackberries, having endured 

 a temperature of twenty degrees below zero and 

 was not injured in the least, even at the tips, 

 although Snyder and Taylor's Prolific were much 

 damaged. Just how low a temperature it will 

 withstand uninjured is not known. The berries 

 are sparkling black throughout, and what adds 

 great value to it, as a market berry, it remains black ^ Mersereau Shortcake. 



after it is gathered. In quality it is so exception- 

 ally sweet, rich, melting and luscious, being without core, and the seedy character of Snyder and most 

 other ironclad sorts also being absent, that a shortcake made of it, after the manner of strawberry 

 shortcake, is even more delicious than any made from strawberries. As a shipper and keeper it is 

 unsurpassed, being firm and does not "bleed" in handling. The canes are of exceedingly strong, 

 upright habit, attaining, upon fairly good soil, a height of eight feet, if permitted to grow unchecked, 

 and are so stout as to remain erect without staking ; foliage large, abundant, and entirely free from 

 rust or blight. Its yield is simply enormous, affording heavy pickings from the first until the crop is 

 all matured. Its season is early to midseason, ripening with the Snyder — in advance of Kittatinny, 

 Lawton, Taylor's Prolific or Erie, but not so early as Early Harvest or the Wilson. 



One thousayd dollars per acre per annum is the record of the Mersereau ; for it has yielded twelve 

 thousand quarts of berries per acre, which sold at an average of ten cents per quart. Allowing two 

 hundred dollars for picking and marketing the returns were a thousand dollars an acre. 



The coming summer I will have three fields of Mersereau in bearing — two at Deal and one at 

 Little Silver, and I hope all who can do so will make it a point to come and see them in fruit. 



Strong, Root-Cutting Plants, doz., 50c.; 100, $2.00; 1000, $15.00. 



WHAT OTHERS SAY OF TI1E MERSEREAU BLACKBERRY. 



NORTH. 



F. I. Kyle, New York, writes : "The Mersereau Blackberry has proved the best I ever put out, for it yields a 

 great quantity of berries; in fact, I have never seen so large a yield from any other blackberry. The canes make 

 an enormous growth here." O. Cosmax, New York, writes: Mersereau Blackberry is first-class in every way. 

 It came through the winter all right and is now loaded with a fine crop of berries ; a wonder to all who haVe seen 

 it, as most all blackberries were killed about here this season. I shall want 1,000 or more plants of it in spring." 

 G. A. Drew, Assistant Horticulturist Massachusetts Agricultural College, writes : " For the past two seasons the 

 Mersereau Blackberry has given us some very fine, large fruit; it is vigorous and productive." In 1900 Eli D. 

 ScTCLiFFE, New York, wrote: "The Merserefiu Blackberry plants have made a good many fine, strong canes. The 

 berries are of large size and delicious flavor — two points in which they cannot be excelled." And again in lOftl: 

 "All I said in regard to the Mersereau Blackberry last year I stand firmly by this year. It is unexcelled by any 

 other." John J. Drake, New Y'ork, writes: " The Mersereau Blackberry has just matured its crop. Berries large, 

 rich and very sweet; canes strong and hardv; need no stakes. Much earlier than either Lawton or Erie. Ten 

 berries weighed three ounces." R. H. Fun'ce, M. D., Mass., writes: "The Mersereau Blackberry has done remark- 

 ably well with me. A great bearer of fine fruit and verv hardv." L. A. Epson, Vermont, writes: "The fruit of 

 Mersereau is by far the best of any variety I have. The canes were not killed back any last winter." R. M. Kel- 

 logg, Horticultui-ist, Michigan, writes : "'l fruited the Mersereau Blackberry this year'and am very greatly pleased 

 with it. I believe it will take the place of Snvder entirelv. In habit of groAvth it is superior, and the berries are 

 larger and do not turn red. I picked and left them in tile sun to severely test them in this respect, and the berries 

 stood for several hours in a hot sun without showing anv signs of turning red, while the Snyder by its side was 

 very red and sour. Its hardiness is already established by the winter of '99— so it is safe to plant it largely." 



SOUTH. 



A. J. Graves, Tenn., writes: "After fruiting the Mersereau another year, I find it to be a "dandy." Its canes 

 g^ow an inch in diameter, and it sets its berries in huge clusters." Calvin Clark, Arkansas, writes: "Mersereau 

 Blackberry is all you claim for it ; a vigorous grower and prolific bearer, Yielding the finest fruit I ever saw among 

 blackberries— and I am eighty-one years old. This vear, on account of the exceptional drought, the native black- 

 berries all failed, but the Mersereau ripened an abundance of the most delicious berries." In 1900, N. R. Roy^l, 

 Texas, wrote: " The Mersereau Blackberry does well here and makes a very vigorous growth. From the time the 

 first bernes npen until they are gone is at least fortv davs." And again in 1901: "Mersereau is a success here; 

 berries large and juicy." In 1899, B. B. Earnshaw, Washington, D. C wrote: "The Mersereau Blackberrv stood 

 the extraordinary cold winter in excellent shape. Came out green to the tip. Remember we had 14° below zero. 

 1, w large and fine. I think it a great find." And again in 1901 : " I am even more plea.sed than ever with 

 the Mersereau Blackberry this season. Berries extra large, bright, glossv black; ripens evenlv. An excellent 

 earner and of flavor unexcelled. It is the most hardv and prolific berrv of its season." W. R. Abbott. Virginia, 

 writes: ' Mersereau Blackberry is very prolific. The'fruit is of fine flavor. It has attracted the notice and elicited 

 favorable comment from guests at my table." J. J. Lucas, South Carolina, writes : " The Mersereau is superb. I 

 expect to order more another season." .Jos. Schmidtxer, Arkansas, writes: "The Mersereau Blackberrv is the 

 best of all blackberries I know. It is hardy, quite earlvand an enormous bearer. If I had more land I would plant 

 several thousand, and I would make a fortune. I cafl it the 'Klondvke' Blackberrv." 



