The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-18
ON CULTURE AND TREATMENT
OF BLACKBERRIES
BY s. r. Spates, Wayzata, MINI.

Among the many varieties of black
berries that are offered, one can Sc
ilect with safety the following: "An-
Fctent Britton," bush is of low-growing
habit. which makes it easy of cover
Ing for winter protection. Stones
Hardy under favorable conditions
a No. l berry. The old and reliable
Snyder a No. 1 berry, and one that
can be relied on. Berries large, fine
quality, juicy, melting, etc. The Ell
dorado" one of the best berries grown
to-day, yielding under favorable con-
Edltlons immense crops Of delicious
berries. no hard core, sweet and melt
Ing. Fifth and last. the "Mercerean,'
the finest table berry grown. Large,
Jet black, sweet rich flavor, tender and
melting. Very desirable.
+ The above varieties are choice
selection, and are quoted as hardy,
having stood 90 degrees and fruited
complete success, they must be covered
and protected for winter, and will for
that labor give bOuntiful crop, 100
to 900 bushels per acre.
Z Having selected the varieties, let us
plant say a two-acre lot If it is pos
sible to have ground on which pota-
toes were grown last season, let us
take it and pillow it good and deep.
Harrow until fine and frayable. Make
the ground DIS nice for planting as
good, honest work can do. Now, mark
off your ground say eight or ten feet
between rows and from three and a
half to four feet in the rows for plant
ing, or some prefer in hills 6x6 OF
course the above is on the basis of haV-
Ing plenty of land. Giving this gem
erous amount of space will assure you
freedom from bodily and mental mis-
cry, which would be sure to follow If
crowded into narrow rows. A man,
cti Of hi lo,, f,.xyi to
black berries. will look during the Gull
tivating and picking season as tho
he were each day guilty of a first-class
hog fight. Beware of close planting
of blackberries. 1t takes all the pleas
.nre out of life and makes a man act
as tho he was troubled with side draft.
He would be apt to smite his breast.
raise up his voice and weep, as he is
continually goaded by the merciless
briers that make themselves so prom
inent about this time.
Cultivating Is the next step in the
evolution of the blackberry, and to
crown your efforts with success, your
cultlvating must be frequent and in
tense. especially so the first season.
Be sure to irrtate the soil soon after
a rain so your ground will not bake,
as clay land Is inclined to do so. What
we mean by frequent cultivating is
about twice each week the first sea-
son. VI course, TO economic, one
ran. the first season, plant potatoes
or beans between the rows of berries,
securing crop enough to help pay ex-
pense of cultivating. The blackberry
patch should Invariably be on rich,
moist land. foothills, and any choice
location that one would consider
proper. In this country the drought
usually catches the blackberry patch,
and If planted on too high ground, the
crop is more or less a failure, general
ly more. OF course, these suggestions
are for the novice.
The next thing on the program we
are to suppose is the second or third
season, and you have a fine stand Of
canes, and your prospect for a good
crop OF berries looks encouraging. You
have, Of course, stored a. clean lot of
cases and boxes, say 5000 boxes. The
size Of the boxes will depend on your
situation, the demand of your trade,
and your taste in catering to your GUS
toners. If you are growing a choice