SMALL FRUITS. 231 



best varieties except the Snyder (which I am now testing), I do not hesitate 

 to give the Lawton a decided preference. 



I know very well that the dealers generally claim that the Kittatinny is per- 

 fectly hardy, but I have not found it so, — on the contrary, it needs as mucb 

 protection as the Lawton. In mild winters like that of 1873-4, they will go 

 through unharmed ; but if you wish to secure a full crop, you must give pro- 

 tection every year. The Lawton, when fully ripe, is a rich, luscious, melting 

 l^erry, — I am almost ready to say the best of all berries. Of course this will 

 surprise all those who have never eaten any but the poor sour things you find 

 in market. It becomes black some time before fit to pick for market, and re- 

 quires experience and discrimination in gathering. A little observation will 

 show you at what time they will bear marketing to a distance ; they then 

 should be fully black, but not the least soft. 



The Kittatinny I consider a poor fruit, not worth raising, and this will also 

 apply to the Early Wilson. 



The soil best suited for growing Blackberries is a moderately rich one, — if 

 too rich the canes will grow rank and are liable to break in laying down. 



For field culture, plant six feet apart each way, but in the garden, four feet 

 will do. When the new canes are four feet high pinch out the terminal buds, 

 and when the laterals are from twelve to sixteen inches long they should be 

 stopped. From three to four canes in a hill is quite enough. 



Late in the fall, but before the ground is much frozen, the old canes should 

 be cutout near the ground. With the assistance of two hands I can easily lay 

 down an acre a day. From three to four inches of soil is a sufficient covering, 

 and I have not found it necessary to fully cover the canes below the branches. 



In the spring, before they start to grow, they should be taken up. For this 

 purpose I have found a potato hook the best. Good clean culture throughout 

 the summer is all important, particularly in a dry season. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



The first fruit of the season is that gem of fruits, the fragrant, luscious, ap- 

 petizing strawberry, ever suggestive of refined and delicate gastronomical 

 enjoyment. Every person who holds in fee simple an acre of ground, is in 

 duty bound to furnish abundantly for his family this delicious luxury so every 

 way desirable and health-giving, and so easily obtained and easily cultivated. 



A large majority of the farmers seem to think that there is a great mystery 

 about the cultivation of the strawberry, — a mystery they have no time to solve, 

 or cannot solve, and therefore many, very many, do not even make the at- 

 tempt. 



THE WILSON. 



A few of the more delicate and choice varieties require a moderately clayey 

 soil to grow them to the greatest perfection; but the Wilson (the berry for the 

 million) will do well in almost any rich soil ; but, if you want to grow extra 

 large berries and an extra large crop, you must be liberal in the use of fine old 

 manure and a moderate quantity of leached ashes. 



POR FIELD CULTUEE 



I plant as early in the spring as the ground will admit, in rows three feet 

 apart, and set the plants just as deep as they stood beforehand no deeper, from 



