92 Edible Wild Fruits of New York. 



been derived almost entirely from the wild variety f randoms. Neither 

 supposition seems probable, for I should not expect such a change 

 to be wrought in the shape of this fruit by cultivation, nor should 

 I expect the nurserymen, who generally are good judges of the 

 character of fruits and are eager to introduce the best varieties, to 

 neglect a first-class blackberry and select for cultivation a second- 

 class one. Neither do I see any reason why the typical form may not 

 be domesticated, though it is possible that it may not have been prop- 

 erly treated to secure the best results. In its wild state it is found in 

 its best condition in recently-cleared land, where the soil is rich, por- 

 ous and well-mulched by fallen leaves, or shaded by dense foliage, and 

 where the briers themselves are partly shaded by trees. In such situ- 

 ations the fruit is cylindrical, large, juicy, tender, sweet and delicious. 

 If this form could only be planted on rich, porous, well-drained and 

 heavily-mulched soil, where the plants could be partly shaded, I see 

 no reason why it may not be successfully cultivated and perhaps im- 

 proved. Even in its wild state it is, to me, preferable to any of the 

 cultivated varieties with which I am acquainted. If, by proper cul- 

 tivation, it could be improved it would, indeed, be a most desirable 

 acquisition. 



This fruit furnishes us a good illustration of the necessity of culti- 

 vation if we would have an adequate supply. Not very many years 

 ago wild blackberries were brought to the Albany market in abun- 

 dance. It was not uncommon, in the midst of the berry season, to see 

 ten or twelve wagon loads of them in State street market at one time. 

 But the supply has been gradually diminishing until now it is almost 

 nothing. The cultivated varieties have not crowded the wild berries 

 out of the market, but the forests in this vicinity have been ex- 

 hausted; the land whereon the berries formerly grew has been devoted 

 to agricultural purposes, or else has become covered with a dense 

 growth of young trees which have overgrown and destroyed the 

 blackberry plants, and the berries are no longer to be found. Thus 

 it is, not only with the berries, but also with other things. As the 

 country becomes populous, man cannot depend upon nature alone 

 to supply his wants. He must take the matter into his own hands, 

 and take measures to increase the supply, or else he must come to 



The remaining variety of the blackberry, botantically called humi- 

 fusus, is smaller than the others, and its stems trail upon the ground. 

 Its clusters are few flowered, and, in habit and appearance, it ap- 

 proaches the dewberry. It has no qualities to commend it for culti- 



