THE BLACKBERRY. 317 



ing over them a little earth, either with the hand or foot ; 

 the plow then returns, throwing the furrow over and 

 upon the plants a depth of one to four inches (see dot- 

 ted lines in fig. 157). Another way of covering is to 

 first lay down the canes along the line of row, secur- 

 ing by a little dirt on their ends, and then turn a fur- 

 row with the plow towards them on each side. This 



Fig. 157. COVERING RASPBERRIES WITH THE PLOW. 



makes the center between each row to act as a drain for 

 surface water. The canes should be left until the buds 

 begin to swell in the spring, as, if taken out too early, they 

 are liable to be killed by frosts. In localities where snow 

 usually covers the ground during winter, merely laying 

 the canes upon the ground and covering the ends with a 

 little earth is sufficient. 



PLANTING, PRUNING, AND TRAINING THE BLACKBERRY. 



The blackberry requires a deep moist soil, not wet, but 

 it is not particular whether clay or sand. The canes are 

 planted at distances of six to eight feet apart, according 

 to the strength of the soil. Cover the crown of the root 

 not more than two inches deep, same as with the raspberry. 



Prune the cane at planting the same as the raspberry, 

 and pursue the same system of summer pruning or pinch- 

 ing, only leaving the main stems from four to six feet 

 long, and the side branches fourteen to eighteen inches. 

 Tying the blackberry canes to wires or stakes is an un- 

 pleasant labor, and we have found that stout stakes along 

 the rows at distances of sixteen to twenty feet, with a No. 

 12 wire stretched along each side at three to four feet 



