138 THE HOMB ACRE. 



Raspberries, especially those of our native 

 species, are comparatively free from disease. For- 

 eign varieties and their hybrids are sometimes 

 afflicted with the curl-leaf. The foliage crimps up, 

 the canes are dwarfed, and the whole plant has a 

 sickly and often yellow appearance. The only 

 remedy is to dig up the plant, root and branch, 

 and burn it. 



A disease termed the "rust" not infrequently 

 attacks old and poorly nourished blackcap bushes. 

 The leaves take on an ochreous color, and the 

 plant is seen to be failing. Extirpate it as directed 

 above. If many bushes are affected, I advise that 

 the whole patch be rooted up, and healthy plants 

 set out elsewhere. 



It is a well-known law of Nature that plants of 

 nearly all kinds appear to exhaust from the soil 

 in time the ingredients peculiarly acceptable to 

 them. Skill can do much towards maintaining 

 the needful supply; but the best and easiest plan 

 is not to grow any of the small fruits too long in 

 any one locality. By setting out new plants on 

 different ground, far better results are attained 

 with much less trouble. 



