604 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



develop. This leaves the crown of the plant well below the surface of the 

 soil, so that they suffer less from drouth and the canes are less liable 

 to be blown over'than when they are planted shallow. The plants should 

 be set in such a manner that the tip or bud in the center of the mass of 

 roots is in an upright position regardless of the position of the piece of 

 old cane which is attached. Handle the plants carefully. The tips are 

 tender and easily broken. Do not expose the plants unnecessarily to the 

 wind and sun. Be sure that the soil is well firmed about the roots and 

 finally cover with a little loose soil to prevent evaporation, 



CULTIVATION 



Thorough and clean cultivation is essential. Grass and weeds must be 

 kept out of the rows and the surplus suckers of the red raspberry destroy- 

 ed. The soil should be plowed shallow and prepared early in the spring 

 and kept in a loose friable condition during the season by frequent stir- 

 ring. Use the cultivator or harrow as soon as possible after each rain and 

 at least once each week during dry seasons to, conserve moisture. Deep 

 tillage should not be practiced as many roots are thus injured and suckers 

 of the red raspberry become more numerous and difficult to control. Cul- 

 tivate just deep enough to bre^k the crust and keep a loose mulch on the 

 surface at all times. Some cultivate deeply at first to force the lateral 

 roots to form at a considerable distance below the surface. Shallow cul- 

 tivation later prevents excessive sprouting because the deep laying per- 

 manent roots are uninjured. Usually cultivation is discontinued with the 

 beginning of the picking season but it is often beneficial, especially in dry 

 time, to loosen the soil between the rows after each picking. This is per- 

 missible, if it can be done without knocking off the fruit or injuring the 

 plants. One or two cultivations after the fruit is harvested may be neces- 

 sary to clean up the patch and loosen the soil after which a cover crop 

 should be sow^n to be turned under the next spring. Late fall cultivation 

 tends to induce a new growth which may not fully mature and may 

 therefore be more easily injured by winter. 



^[ulchiug each year with several inches of straw, leaves, or marsh hay 

 may be substituted for cultivation and is often profitable, but on account 

 of the high cost and difficulty of securing suitable mulching material the 

 operation is not often practiced except in the small patch. It is of 

 special value in the home garden. Moisture is often conserved as well as 

 by cultivation : the soil is constantly improved and better crops of berries 

 often secured. 



FERTILIZERS 



A^'ell rotted stable manure is the best fertilizer for raspberries. Stable 

 manure not only adds plant food to the soil, but furnishes large amounts 

 of humus which improves the texture and physical condition of the soil 

 and increases its water holding capacity. 



The amount to apply depends upon the type and previous preparation 

 of the soil. On good soils which have been well prepared an annual appli- 

 cation of about ten tons per acre is recommended. On the lighter types of 

 soils, heavier applications of fifteen to twenty tons per acre may be neces- 

 sary. 



