STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 153 



A gravelly soil, inclining to sand, is the best for this crop, although 

 it can be grown successfull}- in most any soil, except a stiff clay, 

 if it be thoroughly underdrained and worked. It is not necessary 

 that the soil be very rich at the start, for manure can be applied to 

 rather better advantage after the first season's growth. 



The plants should be set one and one-half to two feet apart, in 

 rows five and one-half to six feet apart. Great care must be taken 

 when setting the plants not to allow the roots to dry at all, as they 

 are very easily injured. It is not advisable to plant on a dr3'ing, 

 windy day, unless the roots are puddled out of water. Root ex- 

 posure in a wind for but ten minutes may work injury to cause the 

 difference between success and failure. A good way of planting is 

 to put the spade in the ground eight or ten inches, and move it back 

 and forth so as to leave a hole two inches wide and as long as the 

 width of the spade. A boy can follow with the plants, placing one 

 in each hole, drawing the soil in with his foot and treading it firmly 

 on each side of the plant with his heels. 



At the end of the first season the plants should be heavily mulched 

 with manure, which will serve the double purpose of fertilizing the 

 plants and smothering any weeds that escape the hoe. If well 

 planted and cared for, a light crop can be picked the following year. 

 No pinching back should be done in the summer, as that causes the 

 canes to send out laterals which do not ripen, but all canes should 

 be cut back in winter or early spring from six to eighteen inches, 

 according to the strength of the canes and the amount of manure 

 given them ; the stronger the canes and the more manure used the 

 less cutting back is necessary. 



If well cared for and kept clean, a red raspberry plantation can 

 be left for a number of years. For marketing, this berry should 

 invariably be put in pint baskets, in which shape they will usually 

 bring considerably more than enough to pay for all extra cost of 

 the baskets. The crates should hold from twelve to thirty-six pints, 

 to suit different customers, and must be made so the baskets will fit 

 snugly to avoid chucking. The berries should be picked every day 

 to command the highest prices, and should be placed in the retailer's 

 hands immediately after picking if practical. A temporary packing 

 shed should be erected near the middle of the patch for convenience 

 in packing, keeping accounts of pickers, etc. — Popular Gardening. 



