Blackberry Culture.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1905, 18 June 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

Blackberry Culture.

The cultivation of the blackberry is essentially the same as that of the raspberry. They may be set either in the autum or tha spring. A rather dry soil is preferable to a wet one, and the soil need not bo as rich as for tie raspberry. Tho plants, too, need moro room than the raspberry requires, for they grow moro branching, and make larger stools. Tho rows ought not to be nearer than sis feet, and the larger growing kinds would do better if the distanca between the rows were eight feet. If planted in autumn, they will need winter protection. Where tbe winters are liable to be very cold, it is advisable to guard againai possible iDJury by protecting all enoh thinga when it can be readily done. Laying down tho plants and covering with soil is tbe best and cheapest way of protecting waeh canes.

The blackberry hns been greatly improved and quite widely oultiealed. Yet it is noi upon as many farms as it oaghfc to be by a very long way. Id should be upon every farm that has a spot on it anywhere that is at all favorable to its growth. As a marked fruit it has proved satisfactory to our cultivators. But it is net alone for the markets or for the market at all, that we would apecially advise ita cultivation. If farmers do not oare to cultivate it for the market, or are not in a situation that would make it practical to grow black benies for the market, by all means cultivate them for the use of She family. Every farmer ought to hare on his table all the fruit that he can grow on hie farm. It is one of the most astonishing things that present themselves for our contemplation, that some of our farmer friends are so negligent in providing a fine supply of fruit for home consumption. Usually it can be produced cheaper than the ordinary food which the farmer consumes ; and certainly none need be told that fruit is far more healthful than muoh of the food that in found upon our tables. This neglect appears stranger when we observe how eagerly people who do not live in the country ceek fruit.