386 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. , 



and neighboring bloom ; others, and of these are some of the very- 

 best in fruit, are shy bearers unless they get pollen from their 

 neighbors. Now the pollen is not supposed to carry alive in the 

 wind more than twenty feet: this suggests close planting, for the 

 insect pollen carriers may not always be on hand to do the work. 

 The safest way for the beginner is to plant the varieties known to 

 be perfect in bloom, like the De Soto. 



It is worth the while of any farmer having an inclination to horti- 

 culture to spend several years' time or a life-time experimenting 

 with and studying the native plums, as an occasional bracer to hia 

 moral constitution and for the comfort and love of home of his 

 family. This is a trite remark, which will apply equally well to 

 other native fruits and to the orchard and garden in their many- 

 particulars. 



If there is a chicken fence to be put up, let it enclose the plum 

 orchard for protection from insects injurious to the plum, and be 

 sure to let the chickens run there early in the spring. But keep 

 the pigs out of the plum orchard. They will destroy the roots. 



THE COST OF BmNGING AN ACRE OF BLACKCAP 

 RASPBERRIES INTO BEARING. 



L. P. LORD, OWATONNA. 



The cost of bringing into bearing an acre of blackcap raspberries 

 varies and depends in each and every particular upon the manner 

 in which the work is done and the cost of material and labor. Al- 

 though I have only 2,000 plants, I will estimate the cost of an acre 

 from mine. 



The better the land, the less the cost of raising raspberries. First 

 comes the cost of plowing, which will cost $1.25; then a thorough 

 harrowing, which will cost fifty cents. I set my plants in rows six 

 feet apart and three feet apart in the row. A furrow was plowed for 

 each row, and with a three foot marker run across the furrows at 

 right angles intersections were made, at which places the plants 

 were set. This can be done for fifty cents. 



By planting as above, it will take 2,400 plants. I paid $10.00 per 1,000 

 for mine, or $24.00 per acre. 



I found that the most desirable way to set the plants was to have 

 one man drop two rows at a time, and two men follow and set them. 

 Three good men will thus set out 2,400 plants a day,at a cost of $3.75. 



At a cost of $5.00, an acre of blackcap raspberries can be properly- 

 cultivated and trimmed the first season. 



The following season $2.50 will keep the field in good condition 

 until picking time. Under favorable conditions the plants should 

 bear much fruit the second season. I prefer mulching the second 

 season, as this conserves the moisture and keeps down weeds. 



This makes a total cost of $37.50. Plants are to be bought cheaper 

 now, and by supplementing men's labor with boy's labor the coat ia 

 perceptibly reduced. 



