48 ANNUAL REPORT 



mind that the plants are not put down lengthwise in the row, but 

 just the opposite, at right angles from the row. With the stakes, 

 wire and cane, as suggested, all will be, when fruiting, on one side 

 of the row, disconnected from the growing wood, which greatly in- 

 creases the quantity and quality of the fruit and makes the pick- 

 ing much more rapid than when the fruit, canes and new wood 

 mingle together. As soon as the wiring is done start the cultiva- 

 tor and level and mellow the ground; follow with thehoe and level 

 and hoe about the hills. Surface cultivation should be kept up 

 during the growing season, once in ten or twelve days; especially 

 if the season should be dry. Cultivation will overcome drouth 

 and it is often necessary to continue it through the picking season. 

 As soon as the fruiting season is over remove the old canes and 

 burn them. Of the red varieties we like the Turner and Hansel I 

 for early, Cuthbert for late. 



Of the Blackcaps, we like Souhegan for early and Gregg for late. 



As yet we have but one choice in blackberries, and that is the 

 Ancient Briton. The above plants are all grown by us as we 

 grow the red raspberry. Growing fruit of all kinds in Minnesota 

 requires correct and careful thought and everything done at the 

 proper time. Success or failure depends upon the grower. 



DISCUSSION. 



A member. I would like to ask if you cover the whole cane 

 when you lay them down. 



Mr. Pearce. I do not think it is necessary. I put dirt about 

 midway. I get them as nearly flat on the ground as I can, leaving 

 no space between the raspberries and the ground. 



A member. I tried it last year but the stalks came from four 

 to six inches from the ground and I covered them up about half 

 way. 



Mr. Pearce. You don't understand me. I cover them partly 

 with manure, using good stable manure. It will pay one hun- 

 dred per cent in the crop to thus cover and manure them. 



A member. I would like to ask Mr. Pearce to explain more 

 fully in regard to that wire. 



Mr. Pearce. That wire is stretched under the plants and when 

 they fruit they will come right down to it; they lie right on that 

 wire; they don't get to the ground. 



A member. You place the wire on one side of the rows? 



Mr. Pearce. Just one side. I don't say that is the best way; it 

 is simply the way I do it, and I am having very good success in 

 raising raspberries, and am going to increase my grounds largely. 



A member. What varieties would you use in blackberries? 



Mr. Pearce. I think the Ancient Briton is best. The stalks are 

 not large and will not break when you turn them down, whereas, if 

 you undertake to lay down some other varieties they will snap off. 



