Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-11-28
A0tltultural.
Propagatina Rlackberries.


Will you explain through the columns
Of the Farmer the most practicable meth
ods Of propagating blackberries, aud the
proper time for doing the work.
J. b. II.
BristO! County, Mass 1876.
femarks.-Black berries usually propa-
gate by suckers or sprouts from the roots
Of the old bushes quite rs fast as Is found
desirable by most gardeners or farmers
who cultivate few for home use. In
decd, with many, the most importan,
question Is how to keep them within
bounds. We have at different times put
out small plantations Of such blackberrie,
as have been recommended for garden
culture but in most instances have been
glad to be rid Of them after two or three
years trial. The Lawton, which does 50
well in the latitude Of New York CITY
and farther south, has proved utterly
worthless in our garden. The Dorchester
has done little better, but it Is not hardy
enough to stand the winters and bear
crop Of fruit every year. The Kittatiuny
Is superb berry some seasons. but this
also fails entirely Is often as every other
year.
All these varieties sucker very freely
and they should always be set in the mid
die Of the garden or field, away from stone
fences or buildings, for unless they are
kept within control, they may become d
very troublesome weed.
Within few years some new varieties
Of this fruit have been introduced from
various quarters, which are claimed 10 be
worthy OF general cultivation, and from
the few reports which have been received
1t seems at least possible that our north
ern markets may yet be as well supplied
with blackberrieS, in their season. as are
the cities farther south.
The Snyder blackberry has done better
in our garden than any blackberry which
has preceded it. 1t mas good flavor. Is
an enormous bearer Of fair sized fruit
and thus far proves perfectly hardy, but
does not appear to spend much of It's
vital force in throwing up suckers, and
If any one Is in any haste to obtain !
large number OF plants from few roots.
some artificial means Of propagating Will
se advisable. Nursery men, who make
q business Of propagatiDg plants on
large seahe, usually start plants in a green
house over q gentle ire heat. but for ordi-
nary gardens enough plants may be raised
- single season by the simple method
orplanting root cuttings.
10 DO this take the roots of plants that
have come to maturity, and after cutting
them into two inch lengths pack them in
box Of damp sand and keep in a cool
cellar through the winter. The roots
should be placed in the box in LAYERS.
without touching each other. and should
be entirely surrounded by the sand. for
1t they are thrown in loosely they NAV
rot or become too dry. a little water
may be sprinkled over the sand occasion
ally, Just enough TO keep the roots from
becoming too dry. In the spring as soon
as the tiost is out of the ground, the eutt-
ings' which may already show little shoots.
should be planted in good rich soil. in
drills, like peas or beans. In a few
weeks the young plants will be seen peep |
ing through the ground, when they must
De tended ike other plants, keeping the 1
weeds down and the soil light A light
mulehing may be spread over the ground /
after the plants are all up, which will |
save some labor in eultivating and afford /
protection to the plants in ease Of severe /
drought.
In tranSplsnting suckers Of blaekber- /
ries, IN the fall, the tops should ALWAYS /
be cut pretty close, and if this Is done, /
the roots may also be shortened in con. /
slderably, and the ends cut up as des-
erlbed above for planting in sand for
propagation. 10 this way a half dozen
plants may be increased in a year or two
10 several hundred, without more trouble
than would be required for growing a
LESS OF peas,
The blackberry is considered very
wholesome fruit, and as it is great favo-
tie with most people it should be cult