228 Small Fruits 



New land should not be planted to small fruits. 

 At least two years should be allowed to subdue the 

 land, meanwhile growing such crops as will require 

 deep cultivation and much moisture. The land 

 should then be plowed to a depth of at least ten 

 inches and cross-plowed in the spring and thor- 

 oughly pulverized. Poor preparation of the land 

 is often the cause of failure to produce good fruit. 



During the first year small vegetables, such as 

 cabbage and potatoes, may be planted among the 

 berries, but not corn or other grain. The second 

 year, and thereafter, the berries will require all 

 the space themselves. 



See what pleasure you can get out of the pro- 

 duction of new forms by grafting and cross- 

 pollination. It will lend a new zest to the cultiva- 

 tion of berries to cross them and experiment in 

 various ways. 



Don't spoil fresh berries by cooking them. The 

 next best thing to eating them raw is to preserve 

 them for winter, when fresh ones cannot be pro- 

 cured. 



If a heavy load of snow or ice comes on the berry 

 bushes and shrubbery, go around and knock off what 

 you can with a pole. It may save them from 



