11 



is to produce so much foliage that the fruit fails to ripen 

 properly, and the berries are likely to be soft and unfit for 

 shipment. One can use a fertilizer containing a moderate per- 

 centage of ammonia and a good percentage of phosphoric acid 

 and potash in the spring as a top or side dressing, just as the 

 plants begin to fruit. After picking has ceased, if it is neces- 

 sary to promote the growth of vines still further, a fertilizer 

 containing a higher percentage of ammonia may be applied, 

 but no more should be used than is necessary to insure an 

 adequate growth of vine during the remainder of the season. 

 By restricting the amount of ammonia to what is really neces- 

 sary and by fertilizing liberally with phosphoric acid, and par- 

 ticularly with potash, the best quality of fruit is likely to be 

 produced. 



Raspberries. — The red raspberry, like the strawberry, re- 

 quires extreme care in fertilization. If an excess of nitrogen 

 is used the canes will grow too large, and the fruit will be 

 unduly shaded, poorly formed, and will not stand shipment. 

 The careful grower will use just enough fertilizer early in May, 

 or possibly some of it a little later, to supply sufficient am- 

 monia to insure a reasonable growth of cane for the following 

 year. 



It is a good plan to start the plantation in a field which was 

 plowed in the autumn or which was planted to some hoed 

 crop the previous year. 



In the case of blackcap raspberries, there is less danger of 

 overfertilizing with nitrogen, although they will not need high 

 fertilization. 



Blackberries must also be fertilized with a reasonable amount 

 of ammonia if one would insure sufficient growth, but the 

 amount of nitrogen applied should be so limited as not to cause 

 an excessive growth of cane. 



Gooseberries and currants, as well as raspberries, should 

 receive a fertilizer containing adequate nitrogen, a fair per- 

 centage of phosphoric acid, and a fairly good supply of potash, 

 if the best sort of fruit is sought. Overfertilization of goose- 

 berries and currants with nitrogen should be avoided, yet a 

 reasonable amount of new growth should be promoted each 

 year. 



