BLACKBERRY (Rebus villosus). A term applied in America to both upright and decum bent thorny bushes bearing a fruit consisting of an aggregation of small drupes or berries, ar ranged about the receptacle to which they adhere, and which, when ripe, separates from the plant with the drupes and forms a part of the so-called fruit. In America, the blackberry and dewberry, or running blackberry (Rubes ('anadensis), are indiscriminately spoken of as blackberries. while the English bramble (Rubies fruticosus) is also called a blackberry. In America, these fruits, with the exception of Rebus fruticosus, have attained a commercial status, and each year widens their range of cultivation. Although existing in a high state of development as wild plants. they attracted little attention as garden fruits until as late as 1850. Now, however, they are extensively cultivated over a wide area.
The blackberry is propagated almost exclu sively from root-sprouts, suckers, and root-cut tings. New varieties are secured by planting the seed. but most of the named varieties now on the market are chance seedlings from wild or cultivated plants. The habit of growth of the blackberry renders it necessary to set the plants not closer than 3 by 8 feet for the smaller grow ing sorts, while 4 by 10 is not too wide for the larger kinds. The fruit is extensively used for canning, both in a COM In ercial and domestic way; but it finds its chief market as a fresh fruit for dessert. purposes. The bark of the mot has tonic properties which are much prized by the country folk. A fluid extract made from blackberry root is sometimes prescribed in cases of diarrhtra. For a discussion of the genus. see Runes; also see DEWBERRY.