64 



anyway. It pays well to sort, at least for my market. I cani 

 get from three to five cents more for the firsts and still get 

 market price for the seconds. Last year my berries netted 

 us twelve and a half cents a quart wholesale for the crop. 

 I can never supply the demand for the firsts. People of very- 

 moderate means will pay 18 cents for the firsts, when shipped 

 berries are selling for three baskets for a qtiarter. 



The raspberry is a profitable crop, but it is not as sure^ 

 with us as the strawberry. My conditions are such that my 

 experience may be of little use to you. Our winters are so- 

 severe that we do not attempt to carry Cuthbert through 

 without laying down and partly covering. Phoenix has 

 proved quite hardy, but it is not a strong grower, and while- 

 it has a long season and is desirable for the home garden, it 

 does not fill the baskets or make the money that we expect 

 from the Cuthbert. The Herbert is the most promising ber- 

 ry we have ever tried, and we are now planting it wholly. 



As I have needed a long slender cane to lay down, I have 

 not practiced summer pinching in recent years. I use little 

 stable manure and fertilize with quick-acting chemicals, 

 stopping cultivation early to ripen up the canes as fully as- 

 possible. 



I plant in rows six feet with plants four feet, and let 

 them' make solid rows. I set posts about 25 feet apart and" 

 two and a half feet high, and drive a nail in the top. I then 

 stretch a No. 13 wire rather loosely on each and hook it over 

 the nails. I can easily throw this Avire down for pruning- 

 and hang it up to keep the plants in for cultivating. 



I prune twice, taking out the old wood in the fall after 

 fruiting, and removing the weak canes, and in spring I cut 

 out the winterkilling and if that does not thin enough I cut 

 more canes and cut back those left. I have had little trouble' 

 from diseases, having an eleven year old plantation now as 

 vigorous as ever. 



I have made a complete failure with Black Raspberries 

 for several years, and until I learn how to grow them I will- 

 let some one else tell you how. 



Currants are one of the most profitable of the small' 

 fruits and easily grown. The San Jose scale is cutting out 

 the bushes in the village gardens and many that have had- 

 what they wanted themselves and a few for the neighbors, 

 are now in the market to buy. Your Massachusetts cities; 



