STATD POMOIwOGICAI, SOCIETY. IO5 



RASPBERRIES AND BLACKBERRIES. 



E. P. Churchill, Hallowell. 



(Abstract.) 



Raspberries and blackberries will live in almost any place in 

 reasonably dry soil, though the raspberry does well in its wild 

 state in very damp soil. 



Land suitable for corn has long been a standard guide to grow 

 the two species but it seems to me one very important point has 

 been overlooked ; where dressing is broadcasted we may expect 

 many sucker plants, remote from the hill or row. Now we can 

 overcome this very much by furrowing deeply and using the 

 dressing in these furrows as the plant will readily find its food. 



Manure applied in the row will produce more fruit, and 

 stronger plants, with far less work, with much less dressing, 

 and I will say, less weeds and grass, than if applied broadcast. 



It is the general practice to let the old growth remain until the 

 next spring, or at least many do, but I prefer to cut out the old 

 canes just as soon as possible after fruiting, for several reasons. 

 The new plants will become more stocky, will ripen up far better 

 and the rows need hoeing and working ; the latter should be 

 done without delay. I want to say here, one of the best tools 

 to cut out canes with is a narrow spade ; have it sharp ; take a 

 scythe-stone along and keep it to a keen edge. One can cut the 

 canes close down. 



Until recently I have left my plants standing through the 

 winter, but the last two seasons have laid them all down, not by 

 burying the tops (except the black raspberries), but by looping 

 them together, bringing one top in by the lower part of another, 

 and so on, making binders thereby for others. Many small 

 plants can be held down, being under larger ones. I find it pays 

 even to tie many with strings. With a season like the last I 

 much prefer getting them down early, as there was a late growth 

 caused by rains after the drouth, and plants laid down will ripen 

 the wood sooner than if left standing. 



In spring the plants should not be straightened up at once, 

 but after a few days they will come up very much and will bear 



