The Canadian Horticulturist, 



245 



MIDSUMMER AMONG THE SMALL FRUITS. 



10 a large extent the success of future years with the 

 raspberry, strawberry, and similar fruits, will de- 

 pend upon the care they receive during the sum 

 mer. At this time they are making new growths, 

 and if proper care is given them, they will make 

 strong plants that will be able to form large and 

 plump fruit buds for the next year's crop. It 

 often happens that a severe drouth during the sum- 

 mer checks the growth of the plants, and, if a 

 warm wet autumn follows, which causes the plant 

 to make a second growth, they will most likely be 

 injured by the winter. The judicious cultivator attempts to give such care as 

 will tend to prevent this late and tender growth. 



Raspberries. — After the raspberry crop has been gathered, it is well to cut 

 out the old canes and thin out the new ones, thus throwing all the vigor of the 

 plants into those that remain. The number of canes the plant should carry will 

 depend a good deal upon the variety, and the condition of the soil, but about 

 five strong canes will generally be found preferable to more, [f the plants are 

 grown in matted rows, they should be evenly distributed, and rather more can 

 be left than when they are kept in hills. Formerly it was the custom to head 

 back the plants during the summer, but, as generally performed, it was an 

 injury rather than a benefit, as the canes were allowed to reach their full height 

 and were then cut back. In this way much of the strength of the plant was 

 wasted, and the remaining buds, if they started at all during the season, sent 

 out weak shoots that were often injured by the winter. As a rule a cane allowed 

 to grow naturally forms large buds near the top, and from these the best fruit 

 will be obtained. If they are to be cut back at all it should be done early in 

 the season, when the young canes have reached a height of about two feet, and 

 then the terminal bud only should be pinched off. As a rule, however, it will 

 not be best for the commercial planter to head back red raspberries at all at 

 that time, although with some sorts it may be desirable. In the case of the Cap 

 varieties it will be best to head the new canes back as recommended above, but 

 if they have been neglected until they have reached a considerable height, so 

 that cutting them back would sacrifice a considerable amount of wood, it will be 

 best to allow them to branch naturally. During the month of August the plants 

 should be watched, and if any of the canes are badly diseased with rust, it will 

 be well to cut them out and burn them. To hold this disease in check the 

 plantation should have been sprayed during the early part of the season with 

 Bordeaux mixture. One spraying before growth starts, if supplemented with 



