330 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



When Shall We Plant Small Fruit? 



By H. H. Park. 



There are many different opinions on the subject, but I prefer 

 spring planting for strawberries and raspberries, if the conditions are 

 favorable at that season. Still, if my ground was in readiness in the 

 fall, and good roots could be secured, I would improve fall setting,, 

 rather than risk the delays which are so apt to interfere in the spring. 

 During our long and open autumns we usually have ample time for 

 thorough preparation of the soil, while in the spring frequent rains and 

 the usual rush of work often make thorough cultivation of the ground 

 impossible. The principal disadvantages against fall setting of straw- 

 berries seem to be a longer time to wage war against weeds, and the 

 danger that the frequent freezing and thawing during the winter may 

 injure the young plants which have had so little time to get established^ 

 but the latter difficulty may be prevented by mulching. In this climate^ 

 however, there seems to be little danger of injury from this cause. 



With blackberries, currants and gooseberries, I would advise fall 

 setting. These are less liable to be injured through the winter, and 

 the roots being well firmed, are ready to start early in the spring, making^ 

 larger plants the following season, thus being likely to bear more fruit 

 the succeeding year. If, however, it was in the spring of the year, I 

 should not wait until fall to set. 



Where plants are wished, fall setting is preferable, especially those 

 varieties which are shy about sending out runners. 



Do you intend raising small fruit for market? If you like the 

 work and are willing to give time and labor to secure best results, ga 

 ahead and set out your plants spring or fall, as convenient ; but if you 

 have no love for the work there is no best time in which to recom- 

 mend setting out a plantation of berries, for there is too much depend- 

 ing on faithful care and untiring energy. It was not chance which 

 gave our Secretary such fine strawberries this season to place on owr 

 market. It was rather the study of the conditions needed to grow 

 fruit, both as to soil and varieties ; and it is continued application on 

 this line of work that brings in the cash, even when the market is- 

 over-stocked. 



But do not delay from one season to another, to set out the family 

 supply of small fruit, as well as that of larger growth. Plant out a 

 goodly sized strawberry patch, and numerous rows of blackberries^ 

 raspberries, currants aud gooseberries, and take good care of them, 



