GROWING THE BRAMBLES 



531 



The purple varieties are hybrids between the red and black, 

 resembling the black raspberry in habit of growth and gen- 

 erally in method of propagation. They are largely used for 

 canning pmposes, and for pies, sauce, jams, etc. 



The blackberry grows wdld in most parts of the country. 

 This has retarded its commercial development, but great im- 

 provement in varieties as to size, quality, length of season, etc., 

 has now been accomplished. 



The dewberry resembles the blackberry, but is prostrate in 

 habit as a rule, the vines trailing on the ground. Some varie- 

 ties, however, are semi-erect in habit. Its range is much the 

 same as that of the blackberry. 



None of the brambles, excepting perhaps the blackberry 

 and dewberry, possesses the adaptability of the strawberry 

 over wide areas. The red raspberry succeeds beyond the 

 northern limit of hardiness of the others. The blackberry and 

 dewberry succeed better in the South than other members of 

 the group. The dewberry develops a deep root system and 

 will thus w^ithstand drought better than other members of the 

 group. 



Virus diseases, or mosaics, have become the chief limiting 

 factors in raspberry culture. They largely determine the 

 profitableness of the enterprise. Consult page 551 for further 

 information. 



Operations : 



1. Determining the size of the enterprise. 



2. Selecting the location and soil. 



3. Determining the time of planting. 



4. Securing the plants. 



5. Selecting varieties. 



6. Preparing the soil. 



7. Determining the planting plan. 



8. Setting the plants. 



9. Managing the soil. 



10. Pruning and training the plants. 



11. Controlling diseases and insects. 



