North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["del stubbs" <pinewoodel@hotmail.com>]

The blackberry trial I am participating in with the Maine variety from John 
Bunker - is showing real promise. This is their second year and we just 
finished picking the last berries. They did well after a dry winter (low of 
-35F) that killed my chester thornless to the roots, killed all illini hardy 
vines with some roots living, and killed all but one triple crown plant. To 
me as significant as the survival of the canes is the very early fruit 
maturity. The years I did get a few chester or illini we lost most to 
september frosts. I wouldn't rave about the flavor compared to a boysen 
berry, but in a climate where no commercial blackberry belongs - they were 
good . Certainly it shows great potential as a breeding stock. I have tried  
pruning them to 2'  this year. John, have you thought of crossing with a 
hardy raspberry? Do they have a name or number yet? Have any other folk 
reported in on them? thanks, Del

Del Stubbs  www.pinewoodforge.com  ag zone2/3

_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*.  
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus