Vermont State Horticultural Society. 67 



from a bed that has not borne fruit. If pistillate or imperfect 

 blossoming varieties are used, set every third row with a per- 

 fect flowering sort that blossoms at the same time. Cultivate 

 at least once a week all through the growing season. All cul- 

 tivation should be level and shallow, and the best implement 

 for the purpose is the fine tooth cultivator. Permit no fruit 

 to grow the first season ; all buds must be removed as fast as 

 they appear. The first runners should be cut off : later ones 

 allowed to grow to form a matted row. After the ground is 

 frozen in the fall, cover with clean straw or marsh hay. In 

 the spring when growth commences, rake this between the rows, 

 to hold moisture and keep the fruit clean. 



It seldom pays to fruit a strawberry bed the second time. 

 It is much easier to set a new bed than to clean the weeds out 

 of an old one. 



Raspberries should ht set early in the spring, in rows seven 

 feet apart and three feet apart in the row. Cultivate frequently 

 to keep the soil loose and the weeds down. Allow only five or 

 six canes to grow from each plant, treating all others as weeds. 

 Cabbages, potatoes or some other hoed crop may be grown 

 between the rows the first year. A small crop of berries may 

 be expected the second year and a full crop the third year. The 

 old canes may be removed after the fruit is gathered, or can 

 remain till the following spring. It is not best to cultivate later 

 than August, as it may cause a late growth that will not ripen 

 before winter. After the first season, a heavy mulch around 

 the plants will hold moisture and smother weeds. Enrich each 

 year; you must feed the plants if you expect them to feed you. 



Blackberries should be planted and cared for the same as 

 raspberries, and like them they will, if given good care, bear 

 good crops for several years. 



While the growing of berries for family use is easily done, 

 to attempt to grow them on a large scale for market, without 

 previous experience, is to invite failure. Experience is a very 

 important part of a fruit grower's capital. Some of the requisites 

 for success are, a liking for the work, good land, a good market, 

 and the ability to obtain the needed help. Begin in a small 

 way, gaining know^ledge as you go, and never plant more than 

 you can care for in the best manner. Take good horticultural 

 papers and read them attentively. It takes head work as well 

 as hand work to grow fruit successfully. That there is health 

 as well as profit in it, I can testify from personal experience. 



