Arizona republican., 1891-03-31
ABOUT BLAcKBERRleS.
Choice Fruit Easily Grown Almost Any.
 where In North America.

Chotce ErNit ESsiiy crown Aimoet Any.
 where In North America.
 The blackberry is a truly universal fruit as it hourishes under proper care in nearly every part of North America. Nearly all the varieties now in cultiva- ton are natives of the Eastern states, where are found some six closely allied species growing wild. On this coast there are several species all quite dis tinct from those East, two of which are found in cultivation. One is the Aug genbaugh, and is highly prized. The other is the evergreen blackberry of Ore gon and Washington, which grows finely in cool, moist, somewhat shaded locali- ties all along the coast. These two spe- cies and hybrids between them, and some of the raspberries and Eastern blackberries, have great future before them. As yet varieties of the Eastern types are the market and commercial blackberries. Of these the old Lawton still holds the lead for canning and es- pecially for drying. Experienced dryers who dry large quantities want nothing but the Lawton. A careful observation of the Erie, a newer and very similar berry, indicates that 1t is stronger and healthier grower. And, so far as can be seen in three seasons fruiting is more productive. It seems that the Erie will supplant the Lawton.
 Other varieties than the Lawton arc much preferable for home use, especially the Kittatinny which is one of the most delicious and wholesome fruits the world has yet produced. It does finely nearly everywhere. Its fruit is very large. If picked when it first turns black it is fine shipping fruit and does not turn red. Allowed to remain on the plant until overripe it becomes very soft, in fact, liquid nectar.
 Other varieties that have been tested on the coast and giving good results are the early Wilson, early Harvest, and the early Crandel. The last seems to be ex- tra fine on the interior foothills. Those named will'all do fairly we'll wherever planted. If the intention is to plant largely it would be good plan to plant a few of each as test. If anyone has had experience on like soil near where you wish to plant, profit by the results they have obtained. Near the coast the Lawton and Erie seem to be best. These for evaporating on large scale have proved fine business, and there seems to be no end to the demand.
 The best soils and locations for black berries are: First, fine moist sandy loam uplands. with or without gravel; select a northern exposure, and the sleeper the better, if it can be cultivated. Second, the red upland soils, especially such as work up mellow and hold moisture we'll. Third, any conglomerate upland soil of moderate richness, not of too sticky adobe nature, especially sand, red gravel soil, or brown adobe mixed with sand and gravel. Fourth, sedimentary val ley soils. These give immense growth of bushes and great quantities of large sour fruit of poor, watery quality. Though if dry and warm and quite sandy and gravelly the fruit is often'fine. Valleys, however, are not the best places for fruits, because plant and fruit are there subject to many troubles which they escape in the uplands, except, per haps, in dry interior regions. Black berries can be fruited superbly on the soils mentioned without irrigation if given thorough cultivation throughout spring and summer. In dry regions they can be grown equally well with ir- rigation, except possibly, in the hotter localities, and even there with plenty of water and little shade. Pruning and training is a simple matter. It consists in summer in stopping the cones at the proper height and then shortening the side branches, and removing the old cones in autumn. D. B. WEIR,