MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 399 



For at this time the new plants are much better matured than at an 

 earlier date and the growth they have made before removal will be 

 worth much more to them than they could be expected to make there- 

 after. Some good authorities have claimed that the later they can be 

 placed in the earth before it freezes up in the fall the better, and my 

 experience on at least one occasion would seem to very strongly cor- 

 roborate that theory. Engaging to plant for a friend about 500 rasp- 

 berries from my own grounds, in the autunin, I was belated by some 

 means beyond what I expected, and as it turned out, just reached his 

 place in time to get them set the day before winter closed in and the 

 ground froze up. We took especial care in planting, it being so late, 

 though we hardly expected winter to come on so soon, and around 

 each plant as set we drew up a little mound of earth, which we in- 

 structed should be removed in spring to the level of the surface, and 

 although the winter following proved to be a severe one, never have I 

 seen a newly-set plantation of raspberries, either of fall or spring 

 planting, do better. This matter of raising a little mound of earth 

 around the crown of any plant or tree set in autumn I consider of 

 much importance, often serving the twofold purpose of protecting it 

 from water which might settle in and freeze about the plant, and also 

 as a protection against damage by mice. — Prairie Farmer. 



EASPBERRIES AND BLACKBERRIES. 



One of the most diflScult things in our horticultural work is to 

 properly care for plantations of raspberries and blackberries after they 

 have become established. To keep them in narrow rows and to keep 

 the spaces between rows free from weeds and suckers is a difficult 

 matter, especially if we use deep-cutting implements. The persistent 

 suckering of the red raspberry and blackberry in the spaces, aggravated 

 by the use of cultivators which breaks the roots and causes them to 

 spring up by the thousands, must be overcome, if our plantations would 

 be made productive and lasting. To accomplish this I have pursued 

 the following modes of planting and of culture : The first requisite in 

 proper planting is to have your ground thoroughly plowed, harrowed, 

 and made level and free from all rubbish, stones or other impedimenta 

 to a thorough cultivation afterwards. This should be done this fall 

 for next spring's planting because, as a rule, of late years our springs 

 are so short that there is too much to be done for the time we have. 

 In spring just as soon as is possible the land is furrowed in rows six 

 feet apart and furrows made deep as possible. In the bottom of these 

 farrows we put our plants, covering them sufficiently to start them 



