Il6 THE HOME ACRE. 



with the birds. Often still, unless we are careful, 

 our share will be small indeed ; for the unperverted 

 taste of the birds discovered from the first what 

 men have been so slow to learn, that the ruby- 

 like berries are the gems best worth seeking. The 

 world is certainly progressing towards physical 

 redemption when even the Irish laborer abridges 

 his cabbage-patch for the sake of small fruits, 

 food which a dainty Ariel could not despise. 



We have said that raspberries thrive in partial 

 shade ; and therefore some advice in regard to them 

 naturally follows our consideration of trees. Be- 

 cause the raspberry is not so exacting as are many 

 other products of the garden, it does not follow 

 that it should be marked out for neglect. As it is 

 treated on many places, the only wonder is that 

 even the bushes survive. Like many who try to 

 do their best in adversity, it makes the most of 

 what people term " a chance to get ahead." 



Morever, the raspberry is perhaps as often injured 

 by mistaken kindness as by neglect. If we can im- 

 agine it speaking for itself, it would say : " It is not 

 much that I want, but in the name of common-sense 

 and nature give me just what I do want; then you 

 may pick at me to your heart's content." 



The first need of the raspberry is a well-drained 

 but not a very dry, light soil. Yet such is its 

 adaptability that certain varieties can be grown 



