Raspberries and Blackberries. 195 



Perhaps it ought to be said that the strong preponderance of opinion 

 in favor of stable manure doubtless gives it a higher rank than its 

 comparative value merits, for the reason that it is the one material 

 which nearly every grower is most likely to have and to use, and when 

 properly applied it is sure to give satisfaction. It does not follow, 

 however, that thoroughly reliable commercial fertilizer applied in the 

 right proportions might not have given just as good results. 



Stable manure contains an excess of nitrogen in proportion to the 

 other ingredients and may be very profitably supplemented with potash 

 and phosphoric acid in the form of commercial fertilizers. 



Preparation and Planting. — Little space can be devoted to these 

 subjects. It may be said in general, however, that raw sod ground 

 should be avoided if possible, and it always pays to give the ground a 

 very thorough preparation. Spring planting is always to be preferred 

 for black-caps; yet, if for any reason it is desirable to secure the plants 

 in the fall, a very good method is to plant them in shallow furrows 

 and mulch well through the winter, leaving them in this position until 

 the young shoots have made a growth of several inches in spring; then 

 set in their permanent place. This insures the weeding out of any poor 

 plants and secures a perfect stand in the field. Plant deep. Careful 

 growers who have given attention to this point have satisfied them- 

 selves that three to four inches is none foo deep to give best results. 

 The plants should be set in the bottom of the furrow and covered 

 lightly at first, gradually filling up the furrow as growth progresses. 

 Plants thus set appear to stand drought better and there is less trouble 

 with the canes blowing down than when planted shallow. One point 

 in connection with planting which should not be neglected is pruning 

 back the plants closely when set. Experienced growers rarely neglect 

 this, but in home gardens, at least, plants are often seen where long 

 canes are left, apparently with the idea, of getting fruit at once. Any 

 fruit obtained the first year, however, is at the expense of the growth 

 and vitality of the plant and will be charged up against ensuing crops 

 at much more than compound interest; and plants which are not cut 

 back nearly to the crown when set, do not readily throw up canes from 

 the root, but branch out from the old stalk. 



Prxming. — Growers are in general pretty well agreed as to the 

 methods of pruning black-caps. One point, however, needs to be 

 emphasized, that the young shoots should be nipped back low and 

 when they reach the desired height, not allowing them to get consid- 

 erably higher and then cutting back to the height required. If pinched 

 low, the plant will at once throw out strong and vigorous branches near 



