since some of these differences are quite Impressive, It seemed desirable to 

 see if similar results could be obtained under Massachusetts conditions. 



This experiment was started In the spring of 1959. Virus-free Surecrop 

 plants were used because of their red stele resistance. In the matted row plots 

 the plants were set 2A Inches apart In rows 5 feet apart. In the hill system 

 plots the plants were set 12" x 12", 3 plants across the bed, the centers of the 

 beds 5 feet apart. Yields were obtained in 1960 and 1961 and are given in quarts 

 per acre in the following table. 



1960 1961 



Hill 15,A40 8,350 



Matted row 12.570 5.980 



Difference in favor of hill 2,870 2,370 



In 1960 the yield of the matted row plots was unexpectedly and astonishingly 

 high. Consequently, the difference in yield between the two systems, 2870 quarts, 

 was not so great as anticipated. In 1961 the yields under both systems were only 

 about half those of 1960. In spite of this difference in years, the differences 

 In favor of the hill system were surprisingly close in the two years. These 

 differences are probably not great enough to justify changing to the hill system. 



Numerous attempts have been made to solve the runner problem inherent in the 

 hill system by either reducing runner production with chemicals or by cutting the 

 runners with a machine. The chemical roalelc hydrazlde will suppress runner 

 growth if applied properly but it has caused plant Injury and crop reduction too 

 often to be recommended or used with confidence. Several runner cutters have been 

 developed and tried with limited success. Certainly, the introduction of better 

 chemicals or runner cutters to suppress runner production would make the hill 

 system of culture look more attractive, 



John S. Bailey 



I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 



THE RASPBERRY SITUATION 



At one time Massachusetts had a thriving red raspberry Industry. Many small 

 farms, particularly In the hill towns, derived a considerable portion of their 

 income from raspberry crops. About 1915 production began to decline and by the 

 early thirties had reached such a low point that it looked as if raspberry 

 growing for profit might disappear from the state. Production is still very low. 

 Why this decline and why hasn't the industry revived? 



At the time of the Industry's decline Cuthbert was the principal variety. 

 The fruit of this old variety is of extremely high quality and was very popular 

 with consumers. It probably would have continued in production much longer in 

 locations where winter injury could be kept to a minimum if it had not become so 

 universally virus infected and consequently so much weakened. In spite of virus 

 Infection it persisted and bore good crops in some of the hill to^ms for a number 



