SMALL FRUIT IN WASHINGTON COUNTY. 41 



A farm of twenty acres planted to small fruits and well attended 

 will yield more solid cash than can possibly be dug out of a quarter 

 section by common farming. If planting in large quantities for 

 market, it is best in the long run to plant blackberry, raspberry, and 

 currants in young orchards, as the cultivation given the berries is just 

 what the young trees need, and the small amount of shade produced 

 by the young trees will only add to the yield of berries. 



DISCUSSION. 



Question 1 — I would like to ask the gentlemen at what time of 

 the year and how often he pinches his raspberry and blackberry bushes 

 back? 



Answer — We pinch them just as quick as the plant is high enough ; 

 and go over them four or five times a season, keeping them pinched 

 back. 



Question 2 — How many canes would you generally leave standing? 



Answer — Three or four canes is, I think, a great plenty ; however, 

 it might vary in different varieties. 



Question 3 — What success do you have with the currant? 



Answer — The bushes grow all right with us, but they have been 

 rather irregular and uncertain in bearing. We have an extra good 

 crop this season. 



Question 4 — What is the best variety of currant? 



Answer — We like the White Grape. The White Dutch is the best 

 bearer, but is rather small, as is also the Red Dutch, although a good 

 currant. The cherry currant is too small. We like a large currant 

 and a large bush as well. 



Question 5 — When you pinch back the raspberries do you pinch 

 back the branches? 



Answer — No, just let them grow. If they will make good strong 

 limbs, let them grow. 



