The Bulletin. 13 



the roots can be well spread out, and in filling in the dirt around the 

 roots it should be firmly packed. In many instances the death of 

 the plant, especially where spring planting is practiced, is due to lack 

 of thoroughly packing the dirt around the roots. Under these condi- 

 tions open spaces often remain around the roots, they cannot secure 

 moisture from the soil, and dry out badly. 



Distances.— The distances apart for planting depend entirely on 

 the method of training and cultivation to be practiced in the field. 

 When the canes are trained to stakes the plants are usually set in 

 squares, from 4^ x 41/2 to 6 x 6 feet apart each way. The richer 

 the soil and the more intensive the culture, the closer the plants can 

 be set. If the soil is poor and the cultivation not thorough, 41/^ x 41/2 

 feet is altogether too close. Plants require a large amount of plant 

 food, and are unable to get it in a poor soil. When planted on poor 

 soil, it may be well not to put the plants closer than 6 feet apart. 

 The writer believes that, in general, where good cultivation is prac- 

 ticed, 5 X 5 to 51/^ X 51/^ feet are the best distances. 



When the canes are trained to wires the rows are placed from 8 to 

 10 feet apart and the plants from II/2 to 2 feet apart in the rows. 

 The chief objection to this method is that the ground is not utilized 

 to the best advantage ; in one direction the plants are too far apart ; 

 in another they are too close together. The space in the center be- 

 tween the two rows lies almost idle, as the roots cannot get to the 

 plant food, and there is too gTeat competition for the moisture and 

 plant food in the row. 



CULTIVATION THE FIRST SEASON. ' 



The first season the plants are not trained, but simply allowed to 

 grow on the ground. The cultivation, of course, must be more 

 thorough during this season than is necessary after the plants "are 

 fully established. The soil must be kept mellow, moist and abso- 

 lutely free from weeds. Sometimes the weeds begin growing near 

 the crown of the plant, where they cannot be destroyed by the culti- 

 vator. In that case hoeing must be resorted to. This should be done 

 as soon as the weeds appear. The young dewberry field should not 

 be allowed to battle with weeds. The plants are not cut back or cut 

 off during this season, as they are when they begin fruiting the second 

 year. 



FERTILIZING THE FIRST SEASON. 



An application of 400 to 500 pounds of cotton-seed meal, per acre, 

 should be given in the spring, soon after setting out the plants. 



