88 WINTER PROTECTION. 



protect by mulcliing', and it is better to pick the blossoms off, that 

 the whole strength may go into the new eaues. 



Tlie same process of summer pruning should be practiced, as the 

 first year, to make the canes stocky, and only a limited number of 

 the strongest canes should be allowed to grow in each row or hill. 

 At the end of each' season's growth the old canes are again cut 

 out. This may be done during the fall, after the leaves have 

 turned yellow ; or, what is a better practice, in August or Sep- 

 tember, after the fruit has been gathered, so as to allow the new 

 canes a better chance to develop. The third season from plant- 

 ing a full crop of fruit may be expected, and the process of prun- 

 ing each year is the same as the first and second season. No 

 supports are needed for the canes if they have been pro})erly 

 summer pruned. 



Winter Protection. — It is doubtful if we have any varieties 

 of this fruit that are perfectly hardy in this latitude. Many are 

 claimed to be perfectly hardy or iron-clad, but in unfavorable 

 seasons all are more or less injured by cold. For this reason 

 some protection must be given, and laying down and covering 

 with soil should be resorted to, to insure the crop. This will 

 seem like a formidable imdertaking to the inexperienced ; yet it 

 is very easily and quickly accomplished by three men, two of 

 whom are provided with thick gloves and coat. 



The men with gloves gather the plants of a hill or a part of the 

 row in their hands about a foot from the ground, and with a strong 

 pull start or loosen the plants at the roots a little, and then bend 

 them over to the ground, all the time pulling the canes that they 

 may not break. When bent to the ground, the third man, with 

 a spade, throws soil enough upon the ends of the canes to keep 

 them in place. When the whole field has been laid over in this 

 manner, a plow is run upon each side, throwing up more soil and 

 completely covering the tops. 



Should the ground be covered with snow during the winter, 

 complete covering will not be necessary, and the canes may be 

 laid down and kept in place by heavy rails. Two men take the 

 rail and place it against the canes of several hills near the ground, 

 press firmly against it, and as the canes bend the rail is raised so 

 that when bent over entirely it will be about midway of the 

 canes. In this way but few of the larger canes will break, and it 

 would be well to first go through the rows and loosen them at the 

 roots before using the rails. 



varieties. 



Wachusett. — This is a native of Massachusetts, and is as hardy 

 as any variety, having been injured only a few seasons since its 

 introduction. It is comparatively free from thorns, and is called 

 the " Thornless." The fruit is of medium size and of fine quality. 

 In rich soil the fruit is of good size. 



S'lyder. — A variety somewhat resembling the last in fruit, but 

 a little larger, more vigorous and productive, but not quite as 

 hardy. 



