29 



MB. GlL]\IORE : What per cent of new wood is cut 

 away in pruning? 



MR. SMITH : You mean in cane, or in the whole planta- 

 tion ? 



MR. GILMORE : No. Each cane. 



MR. SMITH: That will vary a good deal. The first 

 point of course will be to determine- the extent of winter 

 killing. If the winter is severe, and with varieties as tender 

 as Cuthbert, you may have to cut back severely, sometimes 

 down to the lower buds. With the average variety, and 

 where the winter killing is not a factor, it would be well to 

 shorten the canes to 28 or 30 inches. In vigorous varieties- 

 like the Cuthbert or the purple cane variety, Columbian, 35 

 or 40 inches would be nearly right. This is where the grow- 

 er should have the most intimate knowledge of cane forming- 

 characteristics of his varieties. 



MR. GIL]\IORE: Would you advise setting out Cuth- 

 berts after an experience of that kind? 



MR. SMITH: Oh, yes. It is too valuable a variety to 

 neglect yet. 



MR. HITTINGERR: How about mulching the rows? 



:\IR. SMITH : I think that would be very useful, and 

 that brings out another thought. This won't appeal to the 

 pickers, but it ought to appeal to you and your pocketbooks 

 and that thought is, during the time you are picking don't 

 let up a moment on your cultivation. You know how the 

 constant tramp, tramp, tramp, down the rows will compact 

 the soil, similar to a sidewalk. Thorough cultivation should 

 be well kept up. At this time it means a lot to you and will 

 often increase your crop by 25%. Further, if you could 

 bring in a mvilch at that time, that would help out and also 

 the mulch would have the same effect as a cover crop 

 through the winter and be of continued value to you. 



MR. PARSONS : When do you cut out the old cane after 

 it has borne? 



MR. SMITH: I am glad that you asked me that ques- 

 tion. I never felt satisfied that it was a commercial opera-- 



