RASPBERRIES STAKING A.\'D TRAINING. 



21 I 



unripe rips (dotted bars). The customary extent of the shortening is shown by the full 

 bars in the figure. 



Sometimes three or more canes are plaited (3/), secured at 3 feet height with tarred 

 string, and cut off just above good buds next the ligature. This imparts more strength, 

 the weight of fruit being borne better ; for the demerit of the non-staking system is that 

 the bearing canes are liable to bend down, and the fruit be more or less splashed with 

 dirt in a wot season ; staking is then a great advantage. 



2. Staking System. Ash, Spanish chestnut, or larch stakes are the best. They 



Pig. 54. TBAININCJ AND I'-L-NINCI 

 References : L, " hill " of three plants : dotted bars, point of cutting off the tips of well-ripened canes ; full 

 bars, place of pruning unripe canes, or to render them more self-supporting. M, plait of three canes. N, training-to 

 a stake, with canes equal in height. 0, stake training, with the canes of different lengths. 



should be driven firmly in the ground 18 inches or more, and stand about 4 feet 

 above it. From three to five of the best canes from each stool are selected, and secured 

 to the stake with tarred string or pliant osiers. The canes are usually cut off a little 

 above the topmost ligature or level with the stake. This is not bad practice when the 

 canes are equally short-jointed, sturdy, long, and well ripened, but they usually vary in 

 these respects and it is a mistake to shorten thorn irrespective of their vigour. Fre- 

 quently a third and generally a fourth of their length from the top is weak, full of pith, 

 and unripe. This portion should be removed, so that the canes will be of different 

 lengths. When the plants are a good distance apart, five to seven of the best and 



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