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turn under this dead crop, following with frequent cultiva- 

 tion, aiming to get the soil in perfect tilth as quickly as 

 possible. If one employs rye as a cover crop he will have a 

 stiff fight with the young rye plants in the row and must 

 overcome them by careful hoeing. Crimson clover might 

 be valuable for a cover crop, even though the plant is usual- 

 ly winter killed in ]\Iarch, as it would have the advantage of 

 adding more nitrogen. 



Since one of the larger problems of the second year in 

 the plantation is pruning, it might be well to consider it at 

 this time. If the question of the proper methods to be em- 

 ployed in pruning orchards is still unsettled, I believe that 

 the pruning of the raspberry is also one of importance. The 

 "writer believes that pruning should be neglected until late 

 in the spring, or until about the time the buds are ready to 

 burst. At this time varieties, as perhaps Cuthbert, and 

 others, will show the extent of the winter killing. With 

 early pruning this is hard to determine. The ideal plan is 

 to secure good strong hedge-rows with the bearing canes 

 standing 10 inches to a foot apart. The height tq_ which s, 

 cane should be allowed to stand ip largely a matter of varie- 

 ty, and even hardiness of variety, and one who has had a 

 personal experience will find it very valuable in determin- 

 ing at what height to prune a plantation, as oftentimes the 

 most active l)uds are out rather near the end, which w^ill 

 often give the finest yield of fruit. 



As in orchard work, so in small fruit gi-owing, the sub- 

 jects of pruning, cultivation and fertilization are rather 

 deeply involved. In fertilizing a raspberry plantation let 

 me urge you to practice moderation, when using nitrogen, 

 particularly in the form of nitrate of soda. I believe we 

 can well afford to secure most of our nitrogen from organic 

 sources since from such sources the nitrogen is usually avail- 

 able later in the season. Aim to get short, sturdy canes. 

 Nitrate of soda, employed early in the season, tends to de- 

 feat this. Early and abundant growth of new canes are a 

 serious impediment to good harvesting. I have seen leaves 



