FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT. 65 



GROWING SMALL FRUIT. 



HENRY SMITH, GRAND RAPIDS. 



I wish I could tell you something new about this subject that would 

 be a benefit in some way to the growing of bigger crops of better fruit, 

 but the subject is old and I am afraid I have not much that is new 

 to offer. 



One of the most important factors in successfully growing small fruits 

 (or any kind of fruits, for that matter), is location. A rich sandy or 

 gravelly loam with a good subsoil that is well drained and high enough 

 to have good air drainage is best suited for the purpose. 



Land that has been properly prepared a year or so in advance by 

 plowing under clover sod or other soiling crops, will help much both in 

 the killing of weeds and the starting of the young plants. I t^nd late 

 cabbage one of the best crops to kill out quack and other weeds and 

 leave the soil in good condition for planting. 



It is better to grow standard varieties that have been tried and are 

 known to be strong, vigorous, prolific varieties than to try new varie- 

 ties that are high priced, well recommended but often disappointing. 



Careful planting with strong young plants that will give a full stand 

 of plants is important, as we can't afford to lose part of our land by 

 having many of the plants fail to grow. The digging or planting of the 

 plants and the care of them while out of the ground are more important 

 than many planters realize. These plants must not be neglected until 

 they are back in the ground. 



If possible, it is better to grow our own plants from new plantations 

 than to have them shipped in. I like to have the plants where I can 

 see to the digging as well as the planting. 



As soon as the plants are planted they should be cultivated. A spike- 

 tooth cultivator or one with narrow teeth, that will loosen the soil with- 

 out disturbing the plant, is best. On some soils a weeder is good and 

 a six-tined fork is better than a hoe to work around and over the young 

 plants. This work must all be done before the weeds start. 



The care of young plants is most important. INIany plantations are 

 injured or killed out entirely bv carelessness with the hoe or cultivator. 

 Thorough and persistent cultivation is essential to the growing of a 

 good plantation. The young plants should be kept growing after plant- 

 ing. A check from anv cause mav vei'v much reduce the vield for an- 

 other year. 



In the growing of large and fancy varieties of fruits, especially straw- 

 berries, they do not usually bear as well and need more attention 

 and unless one can give them the required care and can secure pickers 

 that will use care in picking, it is hard to keep them fancy. It is 

 harder work to get fancy berries picked than it is to grow fancy berries 

 and have them fancy when they reach the market, has been my ex- 

 perience. And the medium sized berry of the Senator Dunlap type will 

 usually give better satisfaction and more money. The raspberry, both 

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