216 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE 



surface be in fine order in the spring, that is, in good tilth, rich, and full of young 

 vigorous roots, which will draw up nourishment for the plants during the summer. 



Manures. As before stated, the raspberry is a moisture-loving plant, and liquid 

 manure may be applied with advantage during mild weather in the winter. Solid manures 

 cannot always be had, and in some cases the cost of carriage practically precludes their 

 use. Eecourse must then be had to chemicals, such as a mixture of three parts super- 

 phosphate and two parts kainit, 85 pounds per rod, spreading it over the ground and 

 forking in during the autumn following. When growth begins in the spring, follow 

 with nitrate of soda, 2 pounds per rod on light dry soil, 1| pound on medium, and 

 1 pound on strong land. This will generally suffice to produce good crops annually. 



Growing Large Fruit. "When the finest possible fruit is required for dessert or 

 exhibition, only a few bearing shoots should be allowed, and these of the strongest, sup 

 pressing all other growths, including suckers, to throw all the support into the fruiting 

 branchlets. The fruits also must be thinned as soon as set, reserving only the best 

 formed and most promising. With liberal feeding, very large fruit will then be secured. 

 If the weather prove wet at the ripening period, place a transparent waterproof covering 

 over the plants, but so elevated as to admit abundance of air. The method described 

 prevents the development of canes for the succeeding year ; therefore, a few stools only 

 may be devoted for the special purpose indicated. 



Protecting the Fruit. Birds are very fond of raspberries. The netting to exclude 

 them should be small enough in the mesh to keep at bay bullfinches, blackcaps, warblers 

 and white-throats. If the young canes are vigorous they will be sufficiently high by 

 the time protection is required to support the netting clear of the fruit ; otherwise 

 means must be adopted to secure this either by laths or stout string supported by stakes. 



Gathering the Fruit. For dessert, raspberries should be carefully gathered with the 

 stalk and husk intact, scrutinising each berry for ripeness and freedom from insects. 

 The fruit has the finest flavour when picked dry and not over-ripe, yet ripe enough to 

 part readily from the core. If gathered wet, raspberries should be laid thinly on a 

 clean wood shelf in an airy room for a few hours, so that the superfluous water may be 

 dissipated. Raspberries for cooking or preserving are gathered without the core. The 

 fruit should be ripe, though over-ripeness is less desirable than a shade the other way, 

 especially for packing. No fruit is sooner spoiled by wet weather than the raspberry 

 and enormous losses fall on market growers in bad seasons, but the returns in good years 

 are as oppositely favourable. 



