14 



J. T. LOVETT, LITTLE SILVER, N. J. 



MERSEREAU BLACKBERRY. 



For twenty years I was in search of a black- 

 berry with an ironclad cane, and producing 

 large berries in abundance; one uniting the 

 hardiness of cane of the Snyder and the large 

 size of fruit and productiveness 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 require- 

 ments demanded, until I secured the Mersereau. 

 In this we have even more than what I hoped 

 for; as it is not only hardier in cane than the 

 ironclad Snyder, but it is more productive by 

 far and the finest in quality of any blackberry 

 ever produced. 



The Mersereau 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 cul- 

 ture for many years without the slightest pro- 

 tection, and has never been injured. Prof. L. 

 H. Bailey, the foremost horticulturist in Amer- 

 ica, 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." 



Tlie cardinal properties of the Mersereau 

 2lX^ great size, luscious flavor, great hardiness of 

 cane and great productiveness. But these are 

 not its only merits. In hardiness it is doubtless 

 without 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 it is not known. The 

 berries are sparkling black throughout, and what 

 adds great value to it, as a market berry, it 

 remains black after it is gathered. In quality it 

 is so exceptionally 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 8 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 thousand dollars per acre per annum is the record of Mersereau; for it has yielded 12,000 quarts 

 of berries per acre, which sold at an average of 10 cents per quart. Allowing $200 for picking and 

 marketing, the returns were $1000 an acre. 



The foregoing in reference to the Mersereau appeared in my catalogue of last Spring. I also printed 

 reports from thirty-eight fruit growers, who had fruited it, in nineteen different States, attesting the 

 adaptability of this regal variety to all parts of this broad land. I would like to reprint these reports 

 and to print many others I have of the same purport, but lack of space prohibits my doing so. Henry 

 Ward Beecher said he could not eat blackberries without losing grace; the fruit of all varieties in cultiva- 

 tion being so sour. That was twenty years ago. The Mersereau is truly an ambrosial fruit and to eat it 

 is to be happier and better. 



The past season the Mersereau has beaten its own record, and those who ordered it in lots of a dozen 

 or a hundred plants when first offered, are now planting it by the 5,000 and 10,000— one grower having 

 placed his order for 25,000 plants of it. However, that all may plant this grand variety the coming 

 Spring, I have put the price within the reach of all, viz.: Doz., 50c.; 100, $2.50; 1000, $15.00. 



Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 29, 1903. Moultrie Co., III., Nov. 14, 1903. 



I received the blackberry sets in good condition. Am well I received the berry plants in very good condition, l wi 



pleased with them; also liberal count. very well pleased with them. 



David S. Townsend, M. G. Purvis. 



