22 On the Cultivation and Management of the Raspberry. 



which will occasion a great number of small plants to come up; 

 of these select the strongest and finest, and hoe up all superflu- 

 ous ones: some cultivators prefer laying down some of the 

 strongest outside growths in the month of April, as by the fol- 

 lowing autumn they will make fine roots, and maybe planted out 

 in the plat of ground where they are intended to remain. These 

 will not be so liable to throw up suckers as those which are pro- 

 duced from suckers. 



In the planting out of fresh plats of raspberries, preference 

 should be given to damp or moist weather, as the roots are very 

 tender, and liable to be hurt when exposed to a dry air. If, 

 however, they are planted in dry weather, take care to moisten 

 the roots with water, and cover them with old bast mats, or 

 leaves, while they remain out of ground. In planting, open a 

 trench with the spade along the line where the suckers or layers 

 are to be set out; cut off a portion of the small fibrous roots, 

 preserving all the stronger ones; put them into the trench, and 

 cover them with some earth; then have them well watered, and 

 throw the remainder of the earth over them, letting them remain 

 till you have finished planting the whole ground. Then, where 

 you first began to plant, go over and tread the ground with your 

 foot along each of the trenches, and in the same direction as you 

 planted, and level all the ground smooth and even — taking off 

 any stones or rubbish that may be left on the surface. In dry 

 weather the plants should be watered two or three times a week, 

 till they have taken root. It will be necessary to put stakes to 

 the strong growing sorts, to tie them up to, which will prevent 

 their being broken by the wind, or beaten down by the rain. 



In November, or before the ground freezes up, the old bear- 

 ing wood should be cut out, being of no more use, as the fruit is 

 always produced from the wood of the preceding year; therefore, 

 take out all the wood that bore fruit this year, and select four or 

 five of the most vigorous and strong shoots of this year's growth, 

 to bear fruit the ensuing season: shorten the tops of each, accord- 

 ing to their strength; and the most sure way of preserving them 

 through the winter is to lay them down in straight rows, cover- 

 ing them over about six or eight inches deep with the soil. As 

 a great many of the strongest canes are frequently broken in lay- 

 ing them doion, I would recommend the placing of four or five 

 spadesful of soil close to the stool, so that the shoots can be 

 easily brought over it in a rounding position; this will be found 

 to answer the purpose so well, that seldom if ever any breaking 

 will be made in laying them down. 



In the spring they must be uncovered as soon as the frost 

 leaves the ground, and immediately tied up to the stakes — re- 

 membering that delays are dangerous. 



An old plat of raspberries w-ill continue in bearing six or seven 



