424 CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



laterals. If this is done early in the fall rootings for winter planting 

 can be had. 



The pruning of the raspberry is also by the renewal system, as 

 advised for the blackberry. The topping off of new canes, when 

 they reach about three feet in height, the subsequent pinching of 

 the laterals which are thus forced out, the resolute thinning out of 

 sprouts so that but three or four strong canes are allowed from one 

 root, the faithful repression of all weeds, the maintenance of a loose 

 surface layer of the soil by very shallow cultivation, the free 

 application of manure and of water unless a continually moist con- 

 dition near the surface can be secured by cultivation and mulching 

 all these are among the essentials of cultivation which will secure 

 abundant fruit and a long bearing season. However, as has already 

 been stated with regard to blackberries, there are large plantations 

 which pursue a less careful system of cultivation, especially in the 

 moderate heat and drouth of the coast district. 



Continuous bearing of the raspberry may be secured in those 

 varieties which endure the treatment, by cutting out a cane as soon 

 as its fruit is gathered, the force of the plant being then devoted 

 to the fruiting of a second cane, which has previously been pinched, 

 and a third shoot is pinched and allowed to mature its wood to 

 carry over and bear the first crop of the following year. A suc- 

 cession of sprouts is gained by pinching off the tips of some as soon 

 as they have grown up a few inches, which results in the growth of 

 later shoots lower on the stems. In this way a succession of fruit 

 is obtained. 



The Cuthbert and other strong-growing varieties, after the pinch- 

 ing at about three feet from the ground, will send out laterals which 

 will bear late in the fall, and the same cane will bear a crop early 

 in the following spring, when its career is ended and it should be 

 removed. 



Raspberries are planted about three feet apart in rows, and the 

 rows about six feet apart. They can be well grown nearer together 

 than is required for blackberries. 



Growth in Matted Rows. Many raspberries are grown in matted 

 rows 2 to 4 feet wide and 5 to 7 feet between the rows. The greater 

 distance is preferred because it cheapens the picking and admits 

 more light. The new growth sometimes runs up eight or ten feet, but 

 in December all canes are cut back about two feet above ground. 

 Then all those that have borne fruit are cut off at the ground with 

 hooked knife on the end of a round handle a foot long. All ex- 

 cept five or six of the strongest canes per running foot are also 

 cut off entirely. If any are to be planted elsewhere or sold for 

 plants^ their roots are loosened with a spade; the canes of the past 

 sons growth are pulled out and cut back about a foot for this 

 The vigorous canes that remain for the next crop send 

 to five vigorous laterals in the spring. About the time 

 are nearly shoulder-high to a short man the freest growing 

 s are pinched back to force the growth into fruit spurs which 



