36 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



previous season with corn, potatoes, or any cultivated crop. Thorough 

 plowing, liaiTowing, and rolling just before planting are essential — the 

 morci thorough the better. We mark with a four-foot marker, one way, 

 and with a one-horse plow make a single furrow in every second mark. 

 Then, with a three-foot marker, cross the field. We then plow lengthwise 

 again, throwing the soil the other way, thus making a dead-furrow to 

 plant in. This method gives us a chance to cultivate the first year both 

 ways. Early potatoes and string beans can be grown between rows the 

 first season. By planting them closely one way, the bushes help support 

 each other, and the fruit is less likely to become gritty. 



When the canes grow to fifteen inches the first season, we pinch them 

 back. The laterals now make their appearance, and when these touch 

 the ground, which is in August, they are covered with soil for new plants. 



The second year, when the canes are two feet high we pinch them back, 

 meanwhile thoroughlj^ cultivating with a Planet jr. As soon as the fruit 

 season is over, w'e hasten the removal of old wood, and, burning the same, 

 one more good cultivation and that work is done. 



In cutting back the fruiting wood in the spring, we trim according to 

 variety, size, and strength of the canes. If the laterals grow down to 

 touch the ground, cut back from twelve to eighteen inches. If the}' 

 make a poor growth, cut back from one third to one half. If more than 

 four canes grow on one stool, take them out to that number. 



The foregoing relates to black-caps. 



For red varieties, I should use the same method of cultivation but 

 would not advise heading back the young canes. The wood of raspberries 

 requires thorough ripening to withstand the cold winters. I consider 

 Gregg somewhat tender on that account. Some seasons its wood 

 does not ripen. Cuthberts, and all the red varieties, with us, fail to ripen 

 the laterals, and consequently suffer from severe cold. A year ago a hail 

 storm accompanied by strong wind visited our section the latter part of 

 May. The raspberry canes were then from two to three feet in height. 

 Both red and black varieties were cut and bruised. Black-caps sent out 

 their branches, and last summer produced a good crop, considering the 

 ■drought, but reds were almost a total failure. The canes were nearly 

 .all winter-killed, especially those which sent out laterals. 



In selecting varieties among the blacks, Conrath, with us, has sur- 

 passed all other early sorts, and Gregg for late. Palmer is good, 

 but the last pickings are small. Kansas is a large berry, but the plant 

 is tender. Souhegan and Tyler make good promises, but fail after two 

 or three gatherings. Ohio is productive, but lacks both color and size. 



For red varieties, Marlboro on good, rich soil, takes the lead for early, 

 and Cuthbert for main crop. Hansel and Crimson Beauty lack vigor. 



In harvesting the fruit, two pickers take a row. We use the basket 

 box. Each person is provided with a strong cord which is attached to a 

 box called the string-box. On the bottom of this box are bunched from 

 Ave to ten others. When one is filled it is taken by a man provided with 

 tickets, who pays for each quart as he gathers them up. One man takes 

 charge of ten rows and carries two twelve-quart trays. When these 

 are full they are carried to the end of the row, placed in bushel crates, 

 and taken to the packing sheds. Here each quart is looked over, and 

 sticks, leaves, and berries with the stems clinging to them are removed. 



