BRIDGMAN NURSERY COMPANY, BRIDGMAN, MICHIGAN 
13 
Blackberries 
Should be planted in light, dry soil about 4 
feet apart and with rows 7 feet, requiring about 
1,800 plants per acre. The blacliberry root 
likes to get down in the ground away from the 
surface, where it can gather those elements 
that are necessary for a crop of berries. If the 
soil is wet, its roots can only be on top, and a 
little dry spell cuts the crop. They can be grown 
without much trouble, are very easy to start. 
Simply make a hole with a spade and set the 
plant; put it in the ground fully as deep or a 
trifle more than it had been; it is not advisable 
to let them grow too high. When about 2V2 
or 3 feet high pinch out the centers. This will 
give you the growth on a stronger stock and 
help the plant about keeping up. Your laterals 
will also be nearer. 
For nice, fancy fruit it is quite necessary that 
you do not leave too much wood. A good picker 
can pick from 100 to 150 quarts per day, and 
the crop is a good paying one. The blackberry 
has many uses, is one of the rare gifts of na- 
ture. Blackberry Wine, Cordial, Blackberry 
pie are just a few of its uses. A nice large 
patch will bring you many friends. Who 
among you does not remember the time when 
Mary, Fannie or some one else went with you 
blackberrying, the briar in the finger, etc.? 
Yours for Blackberries. 
BLOWER BLACKBERRY. A very large 
blackberry of delicious flavor, jet black m color 
and a thrifty, upright grower. This variety is 
very hardy, very productive and we recom- 
mend it for the home garden. It is not quite 
so firm as some, still firm enough for shipment 
to near markets. A great many blower Black- 
berry plants that are offered for sale are mixed. 
EARLX HARVEST. If you want a black- 
berry that is sweet, ripens early and produces 
great crops, has the exact flavor and looks of 
the wild berry, which it resembles in growth 
and size. Not very hardy. 
ELDORADO stands at the head of the list. 
They never freeze back in Michigan, and we 
hardly know how cold it would have to be to 
kill them. They do well in the cold Northwest, 
where the cold is intense. They have replaced 
the Snyder, being twice as large and wonder- 
fully productive. Are of fine quality, firm and 
good shippers, and for cold regions have no 
superior, doing equally as well in warmer sec- 
tions. It needs no winter protection. We have 
a strain of Eldorado that will please you in 
every way. The real genuine Eldorado can 
be depended upon to produce great crops of 
luscious, sweet blackberries wherever you may 
be. We have a large stock. 
MERSEREAU. Mammoth Early ironclad 
Blackberry. Will stand 15 to 25 degrees of 
cold; needs no winter protection. Free from 
blight, rust and other diseases. Exceptionally 
sweet, rich and luscious. Canes of strong, up- 
right habit, always strong enough to support 
the great crop of berries; bears regularly every 
year in any climate. A midseason berry fol- 
lowing Early Harvest; should be in every field. 
Eldorado Blackberries. 
WILSON'S EARLY. The largest and most 
productive of the blackberry family, produces 
fruit in large clusters, holds its color better than 
any berry that is put upon the market, and 
brings the highest price at any and all times. 
It is a berry that can be shipped thousands of 
miles, and reach its destination in good shape. 
It is a berry that is always firm and can hang 
on the bushes for eight or ten days after ripen- 
ing. In localities where it is known and its cul- 
ture understood it is preferred above all others. 
The Wilson Blackberry plant is somewhat ten- 
der and needs to be protected from severe cold 
weather. 
This is the year when you should be sure and 
set out Blackberries. The demand from all 
quarters was never so great. Blackberry con- 
tracts are easily gotten. A blackberry jam 
brings the boy at the front quickly and directly 
In touch with home and who would not do all 
he can to brighten the life of our lads who are 
away from home and its comforts fighting the 
world's battles that forever henceforth all na- 
tions shall be friendly and never again be com- 
pelled to serve and suffer at the command of 
and will of kings and monarchs. 
Elk City, Kans. 
Gentlemen: 
I am Bending you a small order for plants. One 
reason (or sending to you Is: I think that your plants 
are still dormant and another Is I lllte your catalog and 
what you have to say, also your terms. 
I have had considerable experience In buying plants 
and have had them come 1,000 miles and be In good 
condition and then come 150 miles and be rotten. 
I have made up my order from a fine flaming catalog 
and received plants not worth a cent. 
I know that you can produce good plants In Michi- 
gan as I have lived close to nature Just 75 years and 
know something of plant life. 
Yours very truly. 
J. W. 
Butler, Ind., 
March 15, 1917. 
Gentlemen : 
I wish to express my appreciation of your business 
methods and the superior quality of your plants. We 
have ordered plants from several well known firms 
but your plants are far ahead in every respect. It Is 
needless to say that all plants set out hereafter will be 
ordered from you. Respectfully yours. 
J. W. B. 
Columbus, Ohio. April 24, 1917. 
Dear Sir: 
Received strawberry plants In excellent shape. 
Yours truly, 
J. R. 
