130 
The Garden Magazine , April , 1920 
jj ' | A HE Adonis Aleppica, described in this issue of The jj 
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You will have something to boast of if you put this 
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J region of Aleppo, Syria, is a splendid acquisition for 
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11 duce from 16 to 20 main stems. From these many 
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m eter or four times as large as a common Flos Adonis. 
H The color is a shining, deep, dark blood-red of great 
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Evergreens, Trees and 
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BLACKBERRIES FOR WHERE YOU LIVE 
E. I. FARRINGTON 
A S A rule the blackberry is not very exacting 
, as to its soil requirements, but nearly all 
kinds like plenty of moisture. There is a great 
difference, though, among the blackberry var- 
ieties as to hardiness, so that some of the best 
cannot be grown safely in the Northern states; 
and a great many blackberries that are grown 
commercially are not the best for the home 
garden. In Kansas, Missouri, and states in that 
section the three best varieties for home growing 
are Early Harvest, Mersereau, and Eldorado. 
The Early Harvest is especially likely to be 
found on the farms, and it has the advantage 
of being exceedingly early, often ripe indeed by 
the Fourth of July or earlier. The fruit is me- 
dium sized, oblong and juicy, and wherever it 
flourishes it is a valuable sort. Unfortunately 
it cannot be giown in the Northern states except 
in especially favorable locations. 
The variety called Mersereau is more widely 
grown, being somewhat hardier. It cannot be 
planted with perfect safety in New York state, 
however, although it is found in a good many 
gardens. It is a seedling of Snyder, larger and 
much more drought-resistant and a good berry 
to grow in connection with Early Harvest, being 
a midseason variety. Of late years it seems to 
bear as freely as any other kind, and it is singu- 
larly free from orange rust. In some of the cen- 
tral states a variety called Minnewaski is popu- 
lar, and with good reason for it is a remarkably 
good berry, extra large, aromatic and juicy. 
It is one of the best home berries in sections 
where the weather does not get extremely 
cold. 
The list of blackberries hardy in the northern 
sections is fairly long, but different varieties 
seem to give the best results in certain districts. 
In Wisconsin, Eldorado, Snyder, and Ancient 
Briton are the varieties most commonly grown. 
Here as elsewhere Snyder must be set down as 
least desirable for the home garden, except in 
especially favorable situations — as where a rain- 
fall is invariably plentiful. Ancient Briton is an 
old time variety which seems to grow well over 
a large area, and according to one expert in 
New York state should be included in any selec- 
tion of the three best berries desirable for the 
home garden. 
Although Eldorado is of the Snyder type and 
just as hardy, it is far and away a better variety 
the berries being of medium size, jet black, and 
well shaped. Their popularity however lies 
chiefly in their melting sweetness. It is medium 
early, hardv and not particular as to soil, thriving 
in New England as well as in Michigan; it can 
be set down therefore as an all-round good berry, 
and one of the most reliable which can be 
chosen. In Michigan it is one of the most 
important varieties. 
Another is Wilson’s Early; this is not very 
well known but grown to some extent in New 
York state also. The berries of this are large, 
round and glossy. Growers in the neighboring 
states, especially in Minnesota, have a fondness 
for Kittatinny. This is an old variety, of course, 
but hardly surpassed by later introductions. It 
is slightly tart and when perfectly ripe the flavor 
is unsurpassed, the canes grow strong and erect, 
and sometimes a small second crop is produced in 
the fall. It is a late berry and for that reason a 
good one to plant in connection with earlier 
sorts like Agawam — or, farther south, Early 
Harvest. 
In some places it seems to be perfectly hardy 
yet in New York state it is occasionally winter 
killed. The late E. P. Powell of Clinton, how- 
ever, named it as one of his good varieties, al- 
though he put Ancient Briton and Eldorado 
ahead of it. The varieties recommended for 
New York state are Agawam, Ancient Briton, 
Eldorado, and Kittatinny. In New Jersey all 
these varieties and some others are grown suc- 
cessfully. A particularly popular variety right 
now is called Ward, a descendant of Kittatinny, 
and considered an improvement. It makes a 
strong growth and yields heavily. 
Garden makers in New England have to choose 
with considerable care as the rigorous climate of 
that section is much too severe for many varieties. 
Eldorado seems to be among the best kinds, but 
Agawam is grown to a considerable extent and 
is probably the most popular early variety for 
the coldest sections of the country. This is good, 
fairly early, very productive, and bearing for a 
longer season than many. It is a berry that suc- 
ceeds much better in heavy than in sandy soil, and 
when soil is very light, some other variety should 
be substituted. 
One variety more often found in New England 
than anywhere else except in New Jersey is the 
Wachusett Thornless. Home garden makers 
with a limited area prefer this variety because 
it is practically thornless, and so can be worked 
without the necessity of putting on gloves. 
There is no doubt about its hardiness, but it is 
quite often attacked by the orange rust, and does 
not produce so freely as some other kinds. The 
berries are excellent, though, being sweet and 
juicy. 
Although some of the best varieties are of 
necessity ruled out when one starts to choose 
blackberries for Canada, many of the kinds 
named can be grown in the Dominion. In the 
Niagara Falls district Agawam, Snyder, and in 
the southern sections, Kittatinny are usually 
hardy. Eldorado and Kittatinny, and even 
Mersereau can be grown on the Essex peninsula, 
but in the Lake Huron district Agawam and 
Eldorado should be depended upon. 
Closely allied to the blackberries and differing 
from them only in their running habit are the 
dewberries, which are usually allowed to trail 
on the ground, although sometimes trained to 
supports. Because of their low growing form 
they are less likely to winter kill than ordinary 
blackberry plants. Moreover, they are earlier 
than any other blackberry. Only a few varieties 
are listed, and of these Lucretia is much the best 
known. It is very early, glossy black, large, 
coreless, and sweet. This is the variety grown 
in most parts of the country, although the Austin 
has been recommended as preferable by some 
experts, especially for Long Island. In Missouri 
a berrv called McDonald is being put out, which 
seems to be either a dewberry or a cross. It 
needs the Lucretia dewberry planted near as a 
pollenizer in order to obtain perfect berries. Its 
vines trail along the ground the first season, but 
send up canes later on. 
It seems a pity that the culture of the black- 
berry has been so largely neglected. Prob- 
ably it would be more widely grown if amateurs 
were more familiar with the kinds best adapted 
to their sections. One thing is certain. No 
such blackberries can be obtained in the market 
as can be grown at home, because blackberries 
are never at their best unless they arc allowed 
to become perfectly ripe on the vines, being 
picked just as they are ready to drop. 
