CUL TIVA TION. 1 5 I 



immediately after a soaking rain, but not when the ground 

 is dry. Do not disturb the roots of a plant during a dry 

 period. Many advise a Hberal manuring after the fruit is 

 gathered. This is the EngHsh method, and is all righf: in 

 their humid climate, but dangerous in our land of hot suns 

 and long droughts. Dark- colored fertilizers absorb and 

 intensify the heat. A sprinkling of bone dust can be used 

 to advantage as a summer stimulant, and stronger manures, 

 containing a larger per cent of nitrogen, can be applied just 

 before the late fall rains. A plant just after bearing needs 

 rest. 



After fruiting, the foliage of some of our best kinds turns 

 red and seemingly burns and shrivels av/ay. This is not 

 necessarily a disease, but merely the decay of old leaves 

 which have fulfilled their mission. From the crown a new 

 and vigorous growth will eventually take their place. 



When one is engaged in the nursery business, the young 

 plants form a crop far more valuable than the fruit. There- 

 fore, every effort is made to increase the number of runners 

 rather than to destroy them. Stimulating manures, which 

 promote a growth of vines rather than of fruit, are the most 

 useful. The process of rooting is often greatly hastened by 

 layering; that is, by pressing the incipient plant forming 

 on the runner into the soil, and by laying on it a pebble or 

 ■lump of earth to keep it in its place. When a bed is closely 

 covered with young plants that have not taken root, a top- 

 dressing of fine compost will greatly hasten their develop- 

 ment. Moisture is even more essential to the nurseryman 

 than to the fruit grower, and he needs it especially during 

 the hot months of July, August, and September, for it is then 

 that the new crop of plants is growing. Therefore, his need 

 of damp but well-drained ground ; and if the means of irri- 

 gation are within his reach, he may accomplish wonders, 



