SMALL FRUITS. 307 
there is no more honorable calling than that of tilling the soil. You 
should take a just pride in standing at the door of nature’s great store- 
house, to hand out these forms of health and beauty. 
The first requisite in a Successful fruit-growing community is the for— 
mation of a society which shall include and unite all in this line, and in- 
duce them to work for mutual good. 
The meeting of its members should be frequent, with a free interchange 
of ideas, opinions and experiences. 
The society should be supplied with horticultural books, papers and re- 
ports for general circulation among its members. 
All purchases of books, papers, plants, boxes, etc. should be by the 
society, thus saving much in freight, commissions and other expense. 
The varieties grown, the packages used, and the manner of growing, 
trimming, picking and packing should be as uniform as possible. 
The sale and distribution of all products by an authorized agent of the 
society would save much time, trouble and expense. My own society in 
Sparta is doing much of its work in this manner. 
IN LAYING OUT A PLANTATION 
the rows should run the longest way of the land (north and south pre- 
ferred), and if fields are large, cross alleys should be made every ten or 
twelve rods for convenience in manuring, mulching, trimming, gather- 
ing, etc. 
In growing small fruits I make no iron-clad rules to govern in all minor 
details. 
The selection of a location, the quality of the soil, the varieties to set, 
the manner of cultivation, trimming, mulching and many other things 
must be determined very largely by circumstances and your own good 
judgment. 
There are, however, certain essentials which cannot under any circum- 
stances be omitted without great loss, if not positive failure. 
The ground must be rich and well prepared. 
The plants must be vigorous, hardy and suited to your wants. 
The roots must be well spread in setting, and the earth firm about 
them. 
Cultivation must be frequent, and weeds must not be allowed to grow. 
A heavy mulch of green clover cut in the blossom will hold moisture, 
prevent weeds from growing, fertilize the soil and keep the berries clean. 
Winter protection for most small fruits is an absolute necessity in this 
northern climate. 
Follow these suggestions in the main, and by close attention and good 
judgment in pinching back, trimming, wiring, etc., you are pretty sure 
of a good crop. 
PICKING, PACKING AND MARKETING. 
Now comes picking, packing and marketing; important factors in the 
growing of small fruit profitably, and they often determine the success 
or failure of the business. 
To small growers with a nearmarketit is not so important, but with 
large productions and long shipments it is necessary to adopt thorough 
business methods, and maintain strict discipline in every department. 
Especially is this so in the management of pickers working by the 
