J. T. Lovett — Blackberries. 



11 



ERIE BLACKBERRY. 



(See Colored Plate.) 



In this age of uncertainty in new varieties 

 when only about the same proportion of the 

 number introduced prove valuable as tickets of 

 lotteries that draw prizes; as the introducer of 

 the Cuthbert, now the most popular raspberry, 

 I hope I may be pardoned for the pride I feel 

 at the triumph won by this noble berry, des- 

 tined to command at an early day the same 

 position among blackberries that is now occu - 

 pied by the Cuthbert among raspberries. I 

 cannot remember how long since I have been 

 searching for a large blackberry that was ab- 

 solutely hardy; possessing as well the import- 

 ant qualities of good flavor, line appearance 

 and productiveness. This is exactly what the 

 Erie Blackberry is, and posesses the additional 

 and important merit of being vcru early. The 

 original description is: 



The Erie Blackberry (first called Uncle Tom, 

 and the name changed to Erie at the sugges- 

 tion of the lamented Wilder), is a-chance seed- 

 ling that sprang up in Northern Ohio, near 

 Lake Erie, some 10 or \i years ago. As is my 

 custom with new fruits, I have thoroughly 

 tested the Erie under utter neglect, without 

 manure and fruited it two seasons. It seems 

 to fill the demand in every particular, and I 

 have failed as yet to note in it a single weak- 

 ness. The canes are not only of iron-clad har- 

 diness, never having failed to produce a crop 

 of fruit (it has endured a temperature of 25 de- 

 grees below zero unprotected and unharmed 

 beside the Taylor and Snyder— the Taylor kill- 

 ed to the ground, and the Snyder bad lyiujured) 

 but of the strongest growth, free from "rust," 

 "double blossom,'" and all other diseases, and 

 wonderfully productive (exceeding even the 

 prolific Lawton), bending the robust canes to 

 the ground with the weight of fruit. The fruit 

 is not only of the very largest size, exceeding 

 the AVilson, Kittatinuy or Lawton, of excellent 

 quality, handsome and firm, but ripens exceed- 

 ingly early— second in earliness only to Early 

 Harvest— giving ripe berries each season In 

 advance of the Wilson Jr. or Wilson's Early. It 

 is also very distinct in fruit from any other va- 

 riety, being almost round in form; this unusual 

 shape giving to it the appearance of being larg- 

 er than it really is. The fruit also is unusually 

 uniform both in size and shape (there being 

 scarcely any small or imperfect berries), hence no other sort approaches in size apparently when exposed in 

 the crate, picked as it grows. 



When purchasing the Erie, I did so on account of its great hardiness of cane, large size of fruit and pro- 

 ductiveness, not knowing at the time of its earliness and other good qualities. There is no other berry that 

 rivals it in combining the four important properties; hardiness, large size, earliness,and productiveness, and 

 certainly no other, with which I am acquainted, that will compare with it for general planting, either for 

 market or the home garden. It is entirely distinct in character from any other variety. 



In addition to those who have fruited it near its home and myself, at Monmouth, I append a few testi- 

 monials of those who have tested it in other parts of the country. 



Wm. Parry, the largest grower of blackberries in the country, and who has had .^/*!/ jyears' experience 

 with this fruit, says: "The Erie came through the past severe winter unharmed, alive and plump to the 

 terminal bud. Appears remarkably healthy and entirely free from double blossom. It set a very heavy 

 crop of fruit which matured into large, handsome luscious berries. While I have entertained a very high 

 opinion of the Erie I will say I was not prepared to see it produce such magnificent fruit and in such 

 abundance. I consider it very valuable." 



Robt. Johnston of Ontario County, N. Y., a venerable fruit-grower and horticulturist who has also had 

 wide experience with blackberries also writes: "The Erie fruited this year and I am pleased with it. Very 

 large and fine. Visitors were much attracted and spoke in high terms. Cannot tell as to its productiveness, 

 as I only had one year plants. Intend setting heavily next Spring." 



Strong plants grown from Root Cuttings, doz, $1.50; 100, $7.50; 1000, $50.00. 



