IVintcr Meeting. 299 



they receive frequent shallow cultivation to keep the capillaries of the 

 soil broken up to prevent evaporation, to retain as much moisture about 

 the roots as possible, to encourage extension of feeders on the root sys- 

 tem, to encourage active and early growth of the briar, to hasten the 

 development of the berries, to secure as fine specimens of fruit at the 

 earliest possible moment. These always find a ready sale on the market 

 at good prices. After the fruit is gathered the old mossy shoots are 

 cut with a short-handled tree trimmer, and the young shoots are allowed 

 to grow at their will. 



Cultivation is again resumed to develop wood and fruit buds for 

 the fruit of the following season. After this cultivation the grass, if 

 any is allowed to grow and mingle with the briars, may be left through 

 the following winter for protection to them, when the ground is frozen. 

 We have well decomposed (rotten) manure thrown on the ground 

 under the briars to the depth of eight or nine inches, which is left there 

 until the following spring, when it is is removed with the hand rake, 

 which, of course, leaves considerable fine manure, to be stirred into the 

 soil at the first cultivation. 



In conclusion, the gooseberry is found to be profitable, as we grow 

 them on a small, intensive scale, set under and between the cherry trees, 

 and in other half-shaded places. In 1892 we set 27 plants, and they have 

 never missed bearing a full crop for 10 years ; they have averaged two 

 gallons to each bush per year, and find a ready sale at 20 cents per 

 gallon not stemmed. 



RASPBERRIES AND BLACKBERRIES. • 



(Earl B. Hopkins, Springfield.) 



The subjecL given me by your Secretary is one that has been writ- 

 ten on time and again ; but different persons and localities have different 

 micthods for planting, cultivating and harvesting, and different plans for 

 marketing, so I shall describe the methods we have found most suc- 

 cessful in the growing of raspberries and blackberries. 



First comes soil. The raspberry requires a richer soil than the 

 strawberry or blackberry. I have been most successful in planting on 

 a black loamy soil with a western slope, rather wet and cold, that will 

 not do for corn or potatoes, but seems to raise raspberries and straw- 

 berries to perfection. If soil is poor or run down, give good dressing 

 with barnyard manure. Plow good and deep, in the fall, if possible, 

 as this does as well and does away with extra work while the spring 



