274 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
before the ground freezes. I like to have a frost stop the growth of 
the cane and start the leaves falling before I begin to lay them down, 
The first thing necessary is to cut out the old canes, if that has not 
already been done. A sharp spade or grass sickle are good tools 
with which to cut out the old canes. After they are trimmed and 
cut out, I have a piece of plank about four feet long with four iron 
pins init about fifteen inches long. Two handles and shafts are 
bolted onto it. It is drawn by one horse, and the old canes are gath- 
ered into bunches by the use of this implement very quickly and 
hauled away by wagon. I found this the quickest and cheapest way 
to get rid of the old canes. Any one can make it, as itis not pat-— 
ented. 
For digging under the side of the hill and also for covering, I pre- 
fer a round-pointed, long-handled shovel. Dig under the side of the 
hill, taking out a good shovelful of earth. I prefer to treat a num- 
ber of rows in this way before laying them down, two working with 
shovelsand one with a four-tined fork. Let the one with the fork take 
his position on the opposite side of the hill from which the earth was 
taken and gather the canes in his fork by placing it against the hill 
near the ground and raising it about three feet; then with one foot 
' against the crown of the plant closeto the ground press from him 
with both fork and foot,bending the canes to the ground and holding 
them till enough of earth is thrown upon them to keep them in place. 
Three men can lay down and cover about half an acrea day. Inthe 
spring when the ground thaws out, straighten up the plants to an 
erect position. Shallow cultivation, say once a week, should be con- 
tinued to the end of the picking season. 
Now, to grow root cuttings. Late in the fall I plow a few furrows 
between the rows and with a fork take out all the rootsI think I 
shall need, made a pile of them and cover with earth where they 
will remain frozen all winter. In the spring I select a piece of good 
ground and, with a single-shovel plow, mark rows about three feet, 
apart. I then cut the roots about three or four inches long, drop 
and cover them about three inches, cultivate and keep free from 
weeds, In the fall they wi 1 be from two to four feet high, strong 
healthy, well rooted plants. 
To the young man or new beginner, I would urge the importance 
of starting correctly and properly in a small way and then increase 
only as knowledge and demand present themselves. Energy, 
patience and perseverance are necessary qualifications for a suc- 
cessful fruit grower. Location and soil is also a very important 
factor in the small fruit business and must by no means be ignored. 
As arule,the highest grounds are most desirable, for the reason 
that late frosts in the spring are less injurious to the young shoots 
and blossoms, which are so often killed on low ground. Avoid too 
many varieties. To the market grower I would say, examine the 
plantations in your vicinity on similar soil and locations; note down 
the smallest possible number of varieties in each class of fruit you 
propose to grow in order to make a succession and meet the wants 
and tastes of the market where you will sell. 
(Along discussion on this paper will appear in August number.—SECY,) 
ih, ‘ 
