RABPBERBT. 139 



the hill by mixing a shovel full or more with the soil at 

 the point marked for the plants before setting them. 



Afterwards manure may be applied to the surface of th* 

 soil, and worked in with plow or cultivator. If barn-yard 

 manure, or a compost of it, and other materials cannot be 

 obtained, then bone, poudrette, or some other kind may 

 be applied. 



A plow or cultivator may be used among the plants for 

 keeping the weeds down in summer, but keep the soil as 

 nearly level as possible ; never bank up the plants and let 

 them remain in this situation for any considerable time. 

 A small plow may be used to break up the soil between 

 the rows whenever it is necessary, but the cultivator 

 should be passed over it soon after, to level it down again. 



If the variety cultivated is one that increases by suckers, 

 allow but one or two from each root to grow the first sea- 

 son, and not more than six to eight from one stool in any 

 one year thereafter, unless the production of plants is more 

 important than that of fruit. 



The fruiting canes will not always remain in one place, 

 as the suckers will come up more freely upon one side 

 than upon another, and the uniform distances between the 

 stools will soon be lost, and some will be six feet apart 

 while others not more than two. A little care given at 

 the time the suckers are making their appearance in early 

 summer, by cutting out where they are likely to be 

 crowded, and preserving all where they are thin, will ena- 

 ble the grower to preserve the required number of bear- 

 ing canes in each row. 



It will often be necessary to use the hoe among the 

 plants, because the plow or cultivator cannot be used to 

 advantage, except in passing lengthwise of the rows, 

 except for the first year or two, and not then unless great 

 care was observed in planting, so that the rows are placed 

 in direct lines each way. 



Clean cultivation is important, because if the plants be- 



