272 POPULAR FRUIT GROWING. 



freezes hard and should not be handled when there is any frost 

 In the canes. The best covering is fresh earth. In laying them 

 down commence at the north end of the row, remove the soil 

 from the north side of the hill, about four inches deep, with 

 a garden fork; gather the branches together with a two-tined 

 fork, press gently to the north, at the same time place the foot 

 firmly on the base of the hill and press hard, bending the bush 



Fig. 122. Uncovering raspberry bushes in the spring. 



in the root as much as possible and as little as may be in the 

 canes, until nearly flat on the ground and hold it there until 

 the second man covers with soil sufficient to hold it down. The 

 top of each succeeding hill will lie at the base of its predeces- 

 sor, making a continuous covering. It will be found that a lit- 

 tle mulch put on the canes first after laying them down will 

 hold the soil put on, and much less soil will be required than 

 If no mulch is used. After laying them all down turn a furrow 

 against each side of the rows, covering as much as possible, 

 and draw a little over any canes that may be left exposed. It 

 is only necessary to use enough to barely cover the canes. 

 There are some of the strong growing varieties, such as the 

 Gregg, that on rich land are very difficult to cover. With them 

 it will do very well to bend as nearly to the ground as is safe 

 and cover the tops only with enough soil to hold them in place. 



