Mammoth Ironclads of Heavy Yield 
30 
REID’S NURSERIES, UPLAND, OHIO 
BLACKBERRIES. 
Culture. — The culture of these is about the same as that of the raspberry, but if the soil is not very rich, 
plants may be set 5 by 2 feet in the row; on rich soil, 6% by 3 feet. It requires about 3,000 plants per acre. They 
should be topped 2 feet from the ground for laterals ; 
do not let more than three canes grow to the hill. 
The last season has proved to us that there is as 
much profit in Blackberry culture as in any other 
branch of fruit-growing. We gathered enough 
fruit from vines this season to almost pay for the 
ground they grew on — getting $4 per bushel for fruit 
at a home market ! Tho culture of Blackberries is 
not so general as the profits would justify, the de- 
mand being always good in the larger cities. 
Mersereau Blackberry. 
NEW BLACKBERRY, 
MERSEREAU. 
This early, mammoth, Ironclad Blackberry is 
by far the most valuable variety that has appeared 
since the advent of the Wilson, over 30 years ago. 
It originated in northwestern New York, where the 
mercury falls from 15 to 25 degrees below zero, and 
where it has stood in open field culture for many 
years without the slightest protection, never being 
injured in the least. It has never had a leaf affected 
with orange rust, blight or other disease or produced 
a double or "rose” blossom. 
In hardiness, It is doubtless without an equal 
among Blackberries, having endured a tempera- 
ture of 20 degrees below zero without being injured 
in the least, even at the tips, although Snyder and 
Taylor’s Prolific were much damaged. Just how low 
a temperature it will withstand uninjured is not 
known. The berries are brilliant sparkling black 
throughout, and what adds great value to it, as a 
market berry, it remains black under all condi- 
tions and circumstances, never turning red when 
gathered in hot, muggy weather, after the manner 
of Snyder, Lawton, Erie and many other varieties. 
In quality, it is exceptionally sweet, rich, melting 
and luscious, being without core; the seedy char- 
As a shipper and keeper it is unsurpassed, 
acter of Snyder and most other sorts is noticeably absent, 
remaining firm without “bleeding” in handling. 
The canes are of exceedingly strong, upright habit, attaining, upon fairly good soil, a height of 8 feet, if 
permitted to grow unchecked, and are so stout as to always remain erect; foliage large, deep green, abundant and 
entirely free from rust or blight. The yield Is simply enormous, producing double the quantity of fruit per 
acre of the Snyder, Kittatinny or Taylor’s Prolific, and affording heavy pickings from the first until the crop is 
all matured. Its season is early to midseason, ripening with the Snyder — in advance of Kittatinny, Lawton, Tay- 
lor’s Prolific or Erie, but not so early irs Early Harvester tho Wilson. Price, 15 cts. each, $1.50 per doz., $10 per 100. 
ELDORADO. 
This is undoubtedly one of our finest Blackberries. Its large size and delicious quality put it far In advance 
of any of the standard varieties. It is the hardiest Blackberry in cultivation ; have neve r known it to winter- 
kill, and it will stand the climate of Minnesota uninjured. It has been very productive, ml has not failed to 
ripen a crop since its introduction, so we have confidence in recom- 
mending it as far superior to anything we know on the market. We 
are confirmed in this by endorsements of nearly all the agricultural 
experiment stations, and the U. S. Department, Washington, D. C., 
which has tested the variety and reported it as follows: "Sweet, rich 
and very good. It is certainly far superior to the Snyder, and we 
have never tested anything to equal It.” It has been cultivated 
15 years, and, under careful tests at different experiment stations for 
years, has never winter-killed or failed to produce a full crop of the 
finest fruit. The vines are very vigorous and hardy, enduring the 
winters of the far northwest without injury, and their yield Is 
enormous. The berries are very large, jet-black, borne in large 
clusters, and ripen well together; they are very sweet, melting, and 
pleasing to tho taste, have no hard core, and keep for 6 or 10 days 
after picking with quality unimpaired. 50 cts. per doz., $2.50 per 
100, $15 per 1,000. 
“ Xhe berry liabit,” an old fruit-grower says, “ is much like 
any other habit— it grows on us the more we indulge it.” Coming as 
it does in hottest midsummer weather the refreshing juices of the 
Blackberry have a cooling and healthful effect even upon the weakest 
of stomachs. The “berry habit” will save doctor’s bills. Culti- 
vate it. 
