888 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7 GEORGE V, A. 1917 



White currants. — Three bushes each of 9 varieties were under test, the best of 



which are the following : — 



Yield from 3 bushes. Tield per acre. 



White Pearl 37 qta. 14,911 qts. 



Large White 26 " 1 pt. 10,679 " 



White Grape 25 " 1 " 10,276 " 



GOOSEBERRIES. 



The difficulty found in the raising of gooseberries is the killing back of the wood 

 in sfevere winters, but in this regard one variety known as the Houghton has been found 

 to bo perfectly hardy. This variety is a very rapid grower, producing an abundant 

 crop of fruit every year. Although the fruit is small compared to that of other varieties 

 they are excellent for general purposes. Care must be taken to keep the bushes under 

 control as they are very apt to spread badly. 



This is the first season the gooseberries under test have produced a satisfactory 

 crop of fruit. Care should be taken while the bushes are young to keep all the suckers 

 growing around the base dug out, as cutting them off at the ground does not kill them 

 and they will come on the following season. Pruning can be done in the fall or in the 

 spring before the buds start to swell. The method recommended with red and white 

 currants can be practised. 



The varieties of gooseberries which did well for us this season are: Whitesmith, 

 Smith Improved, and Downing. 



RASPBERRIES. 



Xine varieties were under test, each variety being planted in a double row 30 feet 

 long. Owing to the canes killing back during the winter if left unprotected, it is neces- 

 sary to bend the canes down and cover completely over with moist soil. Straw or other 

 material has been found to be of no use for this purpose. Prejmratory to covering the 

 canes up in the fall all the dead and weakly canes should be cut out. A small quantity 

 of soil should be placed at the base of the canes to reduce the risk of breaking them 

 ■when turning them down. 



The following is the yield obtained from the varieties recommended : — 



Actual yield. Yield per acre. 



Loudon 35 qts. 1 pt. 3,692 qta. 



Ruby 30 " i " 3,146 " 



Marlboro 29 " 3,061 " 



Herbert 17 " 1,768 " 



STRAWBERRIES. 



Strawberries are perhaps the easiest to raise and the most sa)tisfactory of the small 

 fruits. The best results are obtained by setting the plants out in the spring in well 

 prepared rich soil. They may be put out in August, but owing to the short period of 

 growth between then and frost, the results obtained are not so satisfactory as when 

 spring planting is done. Plenty of cultivation should be given at all times and no weeds 

 should be allowed to grow. In the late fall or early winter the land should be covered 

 a few inches deep with old straw or hay, preferably material free from all kinds of 

 eeeds. It is not wise to use manure for this purpose. 



Letiibridge. 



