CHAPTER XIX 

 The Raspberry 



THE Raspberry is one of the most accommodating of hardy 

 fruits ; it seems to thrive in almost any soil and situation, and 

 to bear crops regularly, even under apparently unfavourable 

 conditions. It is a most profitable kind for amateurs if the 

 large yield of fruit and the slight attention needed are taken 

 into consideration. 



Although the Raspberry will succeed under haphazard 

 methods of cultivation, the finest fruits are only to be obtained 

 when proper attention is given to the plants. An open place 

 is suitable, although a little shade is not inimical to the cultiva- 

 tion of the Raspberry, especially when the ground is light and 

 liable to get dry quickly. Deeply dug land, which has been 

 enriched with yard manure, is necessary if the plants are to be 

 grown well. Pls.nting is best carried out in October or November. 



Pruning. The chief point to observe in growing the Rasp- 

 berry is that the best yield of fruits is obtained from the canes 

 or stems that grew the previous year. As soon as the crop is 

 gathered, the old canes those that have borne fruit ought to 

 be cut out, the fresh stems being trained in to take their places. 

 On established clumps the new stems are usually produced so 

 freely that it becomes necessary to remove some of them. Not 

 more than six or eight should be left to each rootstock ; then 

 they mature well, and the crop will be satisfactory. No further 

 pruning is required, except that in spring it is wise to cut ofi 

 the tips of the stems if they appear to be soft. The same method 

 of pruning is observed each year, the old canes being cut out 

 and the new ones tied in to the supports. 



The Raspberry is largely a surface rooting plant, and the 

 gardener ought, therefore, to be careful not to dig among the 

 plants with a spade, or many roots are bound to be damaged. 

 The soil between the clumps should be forked over in spring, 

 and a mulch of decayed yard manure is beneficial ; it keeps the 



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