SMALL FRUITS. 9 



» 

 well, I think berries from an old patch are a little earlier than from 

 a new. Watering in dry weather is not generally a success. 

 We do not realize the immense quantity of water required to do 

 justice; a little is worse than none. 



Raspberries produced an average crop of excellent fruit the past 

 season. I recommend Shaffer's Collossal and Cuthbert for red, and 

 the Ohio and Nemaha blackcaps. New varieties are generally disap- 

 pointing. I set in rows nine feet apart, and two and a half feet in 

 row. Eight feet is enough for Cuthberts. Do not pinch back the 

 first summer; after first season pinch back new canes when about 

 15 inches high; I do not think it increases the yield, but canes stand 

 better. I have tried a ne^v way of setting which I think will be a 

 great success. I set blackcap varieties 2^2 by 4^2 feet, and shall re- 

 move ever}- other row immediatelj- after picking first crop, leaving 

 rows nine feet apart. Where plants of choice varieties are scarce every 

 other row could be set to some common variety. I hope others will 

 tr^- this method and report success. 



Wires to support canes are a great help, but not necessary to suc- 

 cess. They seem to work best for rich men, but poor men can get 

 along without them. 



In cutting out old canes of blackcaps always use pruning shears. 

 The pruning hooks used by manj" are injurious, especiallj' if the 

 ground is ver}' wet. Hooks do not harm blackberries or red rasp- 

 berries,but I find the shears do a better job. 



Shallow cultivation is generallj- recommended for blackcaps; 

 deep cultivation, if practised from time of setting plants, does not 

 iujure, as roots adapt their growth to the method of cultvire; deep 

 plowing close to old plants that have previously had shallow culti- 

 vation is injurious. 



Manuring between the rows of an old plantation is an operation that 

 requires some judgment. On my rich soil I find it does not pay; it 

 increases size of canesbut doesnotincrease the crop. On poor land it 

 might be beneficial, but I think the better way is to manure heavilj- 

 one 5'ear before plants are set. I do not think that raspberries ex- 

 haust the fertility of the soil, as I have noticed that where an old patch 

 is plowed up, the ground produces good crops for several years. 

 Throwing up a good furrow with the plo^v, both sides of a row, and 

 leaving it rough without further cultivation, produces excellent re- 

 sults on old bushes, which are to be plowed up after fruiting. I can- 

 not recommend that for young bushes to be kept in bearing; 

 the ground should be kept level with a cultivator. 



Blackberries were a total failure last j^ear. Unprotected canes 

 killed to the ground, and those who laid down their bushes worked 

 cheap and went without berries. I have discarded all varieties but 

 the Ancient Briton, believing that to be the best for this localit5\ 



Pinch back j-ouug canes earlj^ — 1 think most of the big stories 

 about immense profits would stand considerable pinching back, 

 too. Under favorable circumstances thej' do yield enormously', but 

 the trouble is to get the favorable circumstances. 



Currants. — I have had the best success* with Prince Albert and ' 

 Victoria. Bushes set six years ago have never failed to produce 



