CHAPTER XXVL 



RASPBERRIES. 



AFTER strawberries, these form the most popular fruits 

 grown by our large Kentish farmers around London, 

 being in such extensive demand for preserving, by the 

 jam manufacturers. 



Easpberries are grown of splendid quality on some of 

 the poorest soils in Kent, where fifty or sixty years ago 

 it was supposed that no crops would pay for cultivation. 

 As they commence to bear good crops the second year 

 after planting, whenever there is a profitable outlet, a 

 trial should be made by all who have the ground 

 suitable. 



This fruit is subject to but few enemies or diseases, 

 and only needs to be kept from the birds as they ripen. 

 It is produced on the young stems, so that the old wood 

 is all cut out during the winter, and when growing too 

 luxuriantly the suckers in summer are partially cleared 

 away, four to six at each plant being left to ripen the 

 wood well. 



On poor soils, raspberries pay always for a good 

 dressing of manure in the early spring. But they have 

 a tendency to run too much to wood and leaf if over 

 manured in good soil. 



