Planted 'Balsors Hardy Black' about five years ago and finally this summer had a decent good crop. Some winters these made it through better than others ... so, to improve my chances of successful fruiting, I lay them down to the ground as much as possible and heap over with snow. Fruit is decent good size and tasty ... THOUGH, they're vicious nasty flesh ripping things that I frequently threaten to eradicate! Yes, these are one of the very hardiest of all blackberries, though I'd like to attempt a thornless instead. My growing season is short and we sometimes lack for heat units, so I'd require an early ripening variety and one that is trailing or semi erect to enable it to be more easily laid to the ground without snapping off. Any suggestions ... 'Arapaho' ?