126 THE HOME ACRE. 



it is contended by some that the foliage on the old 

 canes aids in nourishing the plants; but I think 

 that, under all ordinary circumstances, the leaves 

 on the young growth are abundantly sufficient. 

 By removing the old canes after they have borne 

 their fruit, an aspect of neatness is imparted, which 

 would be conspicuously absent were they left. 

 Every autumn, before laying the canes down, I 

 should shorten them in one third. The remaining 

 two thirds will give more fruit by actual measure- 

 ment, and the berries will be finer and larger, than 

 if the canes were left intact. From first to last the 

 soil about the foreign varieties should be main- 

 tained in a high degree of fertility and mellowness. 

 Of manures from the barn-yard, that -from the cow- 

 stable is the best; wood-ashes, bone-dust, and de- 

 cayed leaves also are excellent fertilizers. During 

 all this period the partial shade of small trees will 

 be beneficial rather than otherwise, for it should be 

 remembered that sheltered localities are the natu- 

 ral habitat of the raspberry. 



By a little inquiry the reader can learn whether 

 varieties of the foreign class are grown success- 

 fully in his vicinity. If they are, he can raise them 

 also by following the directions which have been 

 given. Brinckle's Orange a buff-colored berry 

 is certainly one of the most beautiful, delicate, 

 and delicious fruits in existence, and is we'll worth 



