130 THREE ACRES AND LIBERTY 



berries grown on six acres, a large crop each of apples and 

 pears were grown on the same ground. Like currants, the 

 gooseberry must be sprayed to destroy the worms, and cut 

 back and burnt to destroy the cane borer. 



There is little special knowledge required, however, in 

 raising this fruit, and it is well adapted for growers with 

 small acreage and little money. 



In going into the cultivation of bush fruits, it is usually 

 best to grow them in great variety near the market where 

 they are to be sold. The bush fruits are then uniformly 

 profitable. In Suburban Life Mr. E. C. Powell tells us that 

 the spring is the best tune for planting raspberries and 

 blackberries, just as soon as the ground is dry enough to 

 work. The first season the plots should be well tilled. It 

 is possible to grow vegetables between the rows the first 

 year before the berries begin to bear, but unless pressed for 

 space, it probably doesn't pay. 



Perhaps the best of small fruits, however, and most 

 largely used is the strawberry. The strawberry can be 

 planted by the acre. The ground must be rich loam and 

 plenty of humus, well drained, with a southern exposure. 

 Well-grown plants set out in the open will bear a small 

 crop the first season, but will not become of maximum bear- 

 ing till the second year. After the crop is taken off in the 

 fall a mulch of straw or leaves should be placed over the 

 plants to protect them during the winter. The strawberries 

 are picked by boys and girls. 



The strawberry is an exceedingly profitable crop if prop- 

 erly handled, and is one of the best small fruits for people 

 with little capital. While the price in the general market 

 varies from fifteen to thirty cents per quart, they sometimes 

 run as high as fifty in the early spring ; yet it is possible to 



