An Essay delivered before the Annual Meeting of the Pennsylennia Fruit Grousers' Society, at Chambersbury, Jan. 18th, 1801.

By Wm. Parry, Of Cinnaminson, N. J.

BLACKBERRY bushes, formerly considered a nuisance, are now highly appreciated and extensively cultivated, many farmers growing more acres of them than of corn and wheat together.

It is somewhat remarkable that in this age of horticultural progress, there have been no seedlings raised better than those found growing wild on the commons, without care or culture. Attempts have been made to get blackberry bushes without thorns, and some have been found with canes nearly smooth, which created quite a sensation for a time, and the plants sold readily at five dollars each, until it was ascertained that the fruit was as mach deficient as the thorns. Various colors have been brought out, White, Red and Purple, which were novelties in their way, but of no practical value in point of profit to fruit growers.

After carefully cultivating and testing twenty-six varieties, in addition to a large number of seedlings which were no better than parent stock, I have retained four, which are alt valuable as field crops for market.