24 
BlacJ^berries 
Neosho, Mo, 
The blackberry is one of the most common and most tenacious of American native 
fruits. The cultivated varieties are much juicier and larger and better in quality. They 
are profitable for local markets, but cannot be shipped long distances. Even for nearby 
markets they must be picked before fuUy ripe. They are much appreciated from the 
home garden for eating fresh, for canning and preserving, and for cordials. They are 
easily grown and bear abundantly and early the second year. 
McDonald McDonald is a cross, combining the firmness and 
(Very Early) quality of the blackberry with the size, earliness, 
and productiveness of the dewberry. It is large, 
oblong, and very good quality, equaling the best late varieties in 
flavor and juiciness. It outyields an^ knbwn variety of blackberry 
and ripens fully two weeks before Early Harvest. The bush is 
drouth-resistant and such a vigorous grower that it should |be 
planted in rows eight to ten feet apart. The vines trail on the 
ground the first season, but after that send up lomg canes of un- 
usual length. It is moderately hardy and has successfully withstood 
ten degrees below zero. 
Important: Plant every fourth row to Lucretia dewberry, as 
McDonald requires a pollenizer in order to develop perfect berries. 
Prof. L. R. Johnflon, the well-known horticultural writer of Cape Gi- 
rardeau, Mo., says: "I feel that in the McDonald there has arisen the 
greatest of all the Blackbcnj. family, the most valuable of its group, both 
as a market and family berry. The McDonald is the most productive of 
all. Its berry averages larger than those of any other variety, being 
twice the size of Early Harvest. It brings higher prices than black- 
berries. It ii an extremely vigorous grower, surpassing in this respect 
all of our standard varieties. Notwithstanding we had an all-summer 
drouth here, the McDonald brought its great crop to perfection and then made its usual vigorous growth." ■ 'Its berries will hang on for days 
after ripening in good condition. I found the last berries the largest I had ever seen of either blackberries or dewberries. Its berries begin 
to ripen a few days before the Harvest, as early as any wild dewberry (or eariier), which is a week or more earlier than the Lucretia or 
any other tame variety Uiat I have." 
Mr. Paul Knod, Sr., of Arkansas, says: "The McDonald is very 6rm, a fine shipper — colors up several days before ripe, 
ping about May 15th. My average yield is 300 to 500 crates per acre." 
McDonald— the earliest and heaviest bearing blackberry 
I start ship- 
EARLY HARVEST (Early) Glossy black, medium size, 
excellent quality; ships well. 
Compact, dwarf grower; very productive, but not very 
hardy, requiring protection in the North. 
EARLY KING The Early King ripens a few days after 
(Early) Early Harvest and a week before Snyder . 
It is only a fair shipper, but excellent for 
the garden and nearby markets because of its high quality 
and size. 
SNYDER (Early) Medium size, fair quality, but very hardy 
and productive. A good market berry, 
especially for cold climates. 
DEWBERRY 
LUCRETIA A low-growing trailing blackberry, large soft, 
(Very Early) and sweet, with no hard core. Can be grown 
over walls, trellises, or rocky slopes. Quite 
hardy and very productive. Ripens ten to fourteen days 
before Early Harvest. 
ELDORADO Large, jet-black, 
(Midseason) sweet and melt- 
ing, without hard 
core; very hardy, vigorous, 
and productive. An extra good 
keeper. 
MERCEREAU Very good qual- 
(Early) ity and size, 
without core. 
A strong grower, hardy, and 
productive. One of the best for 
Central and Northern States. 
Mercereau Blackberry 
For prices, see page 32. 
