324 



SOME SPECIFIC ADVICE 



bearing fruit, and on such kinds some growers prefer to 

 delay the pruning of laterals until the blossoms appear. 

 From twelve to twenty inches is the length at which the 

 laterals are generally left. It must be remembered that 

 these laterals are to bear most of the fruit; hence it is 

 important that they make a good growth, become well 

 matured, and that the grower familiarize himself with 

 the habits of different varieties. It is generally important 



226. Trellis for berries. 



227. Rack for blackberries. 



that the heading -in of the main cane be done early, so 

 that the laterals may make an early and hard growth, 

 and that they may start rather low down on the cane, 

 and thereby prevent the cane from tipping over with its 

 load of fruit. Blackberry bushes which are managed as 

 here outlined will stand alone, without stakes or trel- 

 lises. The bushes are sometimes kept from lopping by 

 stretching a single wire along either side of the row, 

 securing it to stakes which stand two or three feet high 

 (Fig. 226). Individual bushes may be supported by a rack, 

 as suggested in Fig. 227. In some places, particularly 

 along the Hudson, blackberries are trained on wires, after 



