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