i IO THE FRUIT GROWERS GUIDE. 



stable or farmyard manure all over the ground and between the canes as soon as the 

 plantation is trimmed or cleaned up in the autumn, leaving it on the surface for a few 

 weeks ; then dig it in lightly between the rows with a fork, pointing it in a foot or 

 more next the plants very lightly and carefully. Two barrow-loads per rod, or sixteen 

 cartloads per acre, is a proper dressing of manure, or rich compost. The debris of the 

 rubbish heap properly sweetened, and some lime mixed with it, is relished by black- 

 berries. Bone-meal, 3 cwt. ; kainit, 1J cwt., mixed, per acre (or 3 pounds per rod), 

 may be applied in autumn, and if more vigour is needed supply nitrate of soda, 1 pound 

 per rod, or \\ cwt. per acre, early in June. 



Liquid Manure. The contents of cesspools and manure-tanks, also house-slops, 

 assist plants in poor soils to swell their crops, pouring it between the rows during 

 growth, and also over the whole space in winter, for enriching the soil. Plants growing 

 in dry situations, as against walls, are benefited by soakings of water once a week in 

 dry periods. These aids cannot always be given ; therefore a mulch of any coarse 

 manure, applied before flowering, keeps the ground moist, affords some nourishment to 

 the current crop, and enriches the soil for the succeeding by supplying humus, in 

 which blackberries delight. Weeds must be kept under, for the cleaner the plantation 

 the more productive it will be. 



Durability of Plantations. Blackberry plants liberally treated afford considerable 

 fruit in the third year, continuing to bear abundantly eight to ten years or longer, 

 much depending on soil and treatment, and then the old stools become weak, the shoots 

 thin, and the fruit small. The land is then the better for a change, new plantations 

 having been made in anticipation of cutting out the old plants. 



Growing under Glass. Wilson Junior plants grown in 12 -inch pots a year or two 

 outdoors, in a warm situation, so as to become strong, succeed admirably placed in an 

 orchard-house in spring ; or the plants may be kept outside until August, and then 

 placed under glass to ripen their fruit, which, so grown, is remarkably fine and 

 luscious, esteemed at dessert, and much relished with cream. The plants require 

 top-dressings of rich material, and feeding with liquid manure, not allowing them to 

 lack water. In winter the plants may be placed outdoors, plunging the pots in ashes. 



Enemies. Birds are fonder of cultivated than wild blackberries, and where black- 

 birds and thrushes abound, their depredations must be prevented by nets or a gun. 

 The plants are seldom affected by blight or disease. 



