APRICOT — BLACKBERRY 421 



the list several desirable kinds that have proved hardier and a Uttle 

 later in blooming than the old kinds. The fruits of the Russian va- 

 rieties, while not as large as the other varieties, fully equal many of 

 them in flavor, and they are very productive. They bear more pro- 

 fusely and with less care than the old-fashioned and larger kinds. 



274. Roman Apricot. 



Blackberry. — In a general way, the planting and care of a black- 

 berry plantation is the same as required by raspberries. From the 

 fact that they ripen later in the season, when droughts are most com- 

 mon, even greater attention should be given to placing them in land that 

 is retentive of moisture, and to providing an efficient mulch, which 

 can generally best be secured with a cultivator. The smaller-growing 

 kinds (as Early Harvest and Wilson) may be planted 4 x 7 ft., the rank- 

 growing varieties (as Snyder) 6 x 8 ft. Thorough cultivation through- 

 out the season will help in a material degree to hold the moisture neces- 

 sary to perfect a good crop. The soil should be cultivated very shaUow, 

 however, so as not to disturb the roots, as the breaking of the roots 

 starts a large number of suckers that have to be cut out and destroyed. 



