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Dewberry Growing. 
By O. B. Whippus, B. S. 
As Colorado is noted for its variety of climates so is it remarkable 
for its diversity of products. We are fast learning that certain local¬ 
ities are best adapted to growing particular kinds and even varieties 
of fruit and the grower is to be commended who adapts himself to his 
environment and becomes a specialist. We have our recognized peach 
sections and we might, if we do not already, have our recognized dew¬ 
berry sections. Probably the dewberry growers of the Plateau valley, 
a valley tributary to De Beque, Colorado, and the Grand Valley proper, 
have gained a greater name for their dewberries than have those of 
any other part of the state and it is the purpose of this bulletin to outline 
their method of culture for the benefit of those similarly situated. 
Here, dewberries are grown at an elevation varying from 5500 to 
6500 feet and surely finer berries cannot be grown anywhere. Lower 
elevations, at least in the western part of the state, are not well adapted 
to the culture of this fruit on account of the extreme heat of summer, 
the berries are short and seedy as compared with the long luscious 
berries grown at higher altitudes. The fruit seems to develop best 
where the maximum temperature is not above 90°, and probably 
maximum temperature is a better guide than elevation. It must not 
be inferred, however, that dewberries may be grown in all localities 
favored with such summer temperatures; severe, drying winters may 
prove too trying for dewberries in localities otherwise well adapted to 
their culture. 
That dewberries may be grown profitably in localities where the 
maximum temperature often runs above 95 0 in the shade, during the 
picking season, is proven by the returns from a plantation near Fruita, 
Colorado, in the season of 1908. Here three-quarters of an acre pro¬ 
duced 345 crates of berries and brought a gross return of over $650. 
The berries were not as large as those grown at higher elevations. The 
variation in season in different localities is better understood when we 
say the picking season at Fruita extended from July 7 to August 1, 
while at Plateau City, Colorado, Mr. Baldridge’s patch was at the 
height of its season on August 1. 
Although Card in his “Bush Fruits” seems to doubt the value of 
the dewberry and suggests that its place may yet be taken by some 
early ripening blackberry, there is no danger of such a change of favor 
in Colorado. It ripens earlier than most blackberries and the planta¬ 
tion is much more easily handled. It is in a class by itself and unfruit¬ 
fulness due to lack of proper fertilization or other causes is a misde¬ 
meanor of which the Colorado dewberry, in suitable locations, is not 
guilty. At present, however, the acreage of dewberries that can be 
profitably grown will no doubt be limited by the short life of the berry 
in transit and hence the accessible markets. As yet we have not learn¬ 
ed to ship the fruit any great distance—it may almost be said that they 
must be on the market within thirtv-six hours after picking. Unless by 
