274 The Cultivation of Small Fruits 



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of a foot on either side. This leaves alternate strips of strawberries and 

 bare ground two feet in width. Farther than this I would not permit them 

 to go. Some would even confine them to hills ; but it is still questionable 

 whether this will be best, all things considered. If blackberries or 

 raspberries make a strong growth, their ends should be cut or pinched off, 

 at the height of four or five feet, in latter July or August. Cultivation, 

 generally, should cease early in July, or be confined to the extirpation of 

 weeds without much stirring of the ground, which would produce late 

 growths to be nipped by early frosts. The rows should be ridged up a 

 little in their cultivation, so as to be free from surface-moisture. 



For winter, in our almost snowless prairies, the best treatment for 

 strawberries is to cover them entirely, after the ground freezes, with old 

 straw (the more decayed, the better). The raspberry and blackberry may 

 sometimes be benefited by a similar mulch applied to their roots and more 

 pliable canes. The gooseberry and currant need nothing of the kind, un- 

 less, it may be, in wet places, where the plants are more liable to be thrown 

 out by the alternate freezing and thawing. 



When spring comes, the straw should be pushed aside from the straw- 

 berry-rows into the intermediate spaces, and there remain, as a protection 

 against weed-growth and drought, during spring and early summer. The 

 blackberry and raspberry bushes, where their growth has been feeble, should 

 be cut down to the last bud, and give their whole strength to forming canes 

 for next year's fruit. The strong plants may be tied to one another or to 

 stakes for support, and permitted to bear fruit. The currant and goose- 

 berry will probably need only cultivation. The strawberries will jieed no 

 cultivation until the crop is gathered ; when the spaces should be dug or 

 ploughed well, unless the straw- mulch prevent. 



This, the second year, the first and finest fruit should be produced by 

 the strawberry ; and, if the work has been well done, there should be a prod- 

 uct of a hundred bushels per acre. For the considerable labor which 

 this involves, provision must be made in anticipation. In case there are 

 many strawberries, it will be necessary to employ assistance. During some 

 days, perhaps, as many as ten persons to the acre are necessary. Women, 

 boys, and girls can pick at two and two and a half cents per quart, and 

 make good wages. I have heard this year of a smart boy who picked a 



