54 HORTICULTURE BY IRRIGATION. 



will do more harm at this time of year than all other causes combined. 

 When one of these occurs, if possible to do so, always turn on the water 

 along the rows of berry canes. Some of these days, with an improved 

 signal service, fruit growers may be enabled to avoid the solicitude con- 

 nected with this phase of small fruit culture. Better still, when a hardier 

 race of fruits shall be grown that will defy the vicissitudes r of wind and 

 weather. Still, thanks to the "reserve" buds, our growers have good 

 average crops of these berries one year with another. The depth of soil 

 usually put on the canes in covering is from one and one-half to two 

 inches. It is well to place over this depth an inch or so of coarse manure 

 in the early winter. Some cover to the depth of four inches to retard 

 the growth in the spring. 



If summer pruning is done, or " pinching back," as it is called, it 

 should be attended to in May, or early June, when the canes are in full 

 vigor of growth, and at the hight of four and one-half to five feet. This 

 will cause lateral branches to appear that should in turn be pinched back 

 when they have made a growth of one foot or so. The chief aim sought 

 by this is to develop fruit buds by checking the growth of wood. If done 

 at the right time this result may be accomplished. If attempted when 

 the canes have practically made their growth later on, buds, which ought 

 to remain dormant, will be started into a growth that cannot mature 

 before the succeeding winter sets in. For this reason and the additional 

 one, that the practice tends to make the canes stocky, and more difficult 

 to lay down, I have never felt like recommending much summer pruning. 



During the hight of the fruiting season the blackberry, raspberry 

 and strawberry should be picked daily, if possible. 



The dewberry, or running blackberry, is succeeding admirably in 

 certain localities, and some kinds of this popular fruit are likely to be 

 found adapted to general culture in the West. It is well worth extended 

 trial. 



For best varieties see list of fruits given elsewhere. 



GRAPES. 



Whatever difference may exist among growers as to the " perfect " 

 soil for grapes, or the manner of cultivation and of pruning, it will 

 scarcely be questioned that the climatic influences of this portion of the 

 United States are very favorable both to vine and fruit development. 

 This in connection with the ability to supply moisture whenever needed, 



