VALUE OF SMALL FRUITS. 239 



Remember that it is always the new growth that produces the fruit, 

 so as soon as the crop is harvested cut out the old canes, thus allowing 

 the new stalks to make a good growth for the following season. A patch 

 of black raspberries, properly trimmed and cultivated, and fertilized as 

 your ground requires, will thrive and produce exceptionally profitable 

 crops for several years. 



Red raspberries can be set either for hill culture or the hedge row. 

 "VVe prefer the hedge row, and for this system have the rows six feet 

 apart and the plants two feet in the row. If you wish to cultivate both 

 ways set the plants from three to three and one-half feet in the row. The 

 plan to follow for the reds is slightly different from the blacks. No 

 pinching back has to be done in the spring, with the exception of some 

 of the stronger growing varieties, and none whatever in the summer. The 

 Cuthbert, for instance, makes a very rank growth and in the spring should 

 be cut back somewhat, but such varieties as the Eaton and Miller Red 

 should not be cut back, as their growth is not strong enough to warrant 

 this being done. After fruiting, the old cane has to be cut out the same 

 as with black caps, and it is well at this time to trim out some of the 

 weaker stalks, leaving only the stronger ones to produce the crop for 

 the coming season. One thing that should be remembered in the culti- 

 vation of raspberries, as well as blackberries, is to cultivate early, but 

 not too late, for late cultivation will tend to make tender sappy canes 

 that are much more susceptible to frost. 



CURRANTS. 



This fruit requires a rich soil and one that is a good retainer of 

 moisture. The plants should be set three to four feet apart in the row 

 and rows from five to six feet. The patch should be well cultivated and 

 hoed, all weeds being kept down, as they are very injurious of currants. 

 Keep well trimmed after they have come into full bearing, as too much 

 of the young and old wood will hinder the growth. It is not well to allow 

 any of the wood to get very old, as the finest fruit is usually grown on 

 the two and three-year-old growths. 



Gooseberries require about the same treatment as currants. 



GRAPES. 



Considered from all standpoints this is one of the most satisfactory 

 crops that can be grown. Almost as sure as the seasons come and go you 

 depend upon a grape crop, Sometimes larger and sometimes smaller, but 

 they can be classed as a dependable crop, and the average amount that 

 can be made per acre year after year is very satisfactory indeed. And 

 then the harvesting of the fruit and the culture of the vineyard is not such 

 exacting work as with some other fruits, for the picking season extends 

 over a period of two or three weeks, and the pruning of the vines can be 

 done in the late fall or at any time during the winter when there is a day 

 suitable. No plot of ground is too small to have a few vines planted 

 for table use, and it seems that they can not be planted on too large a 



