BUSH FRUIT PRODUCTION 



shortened on the side next to the rows is used 

 in large-scale operations. In the garden there 

 is nothing better than a good iron rake if 

 cultivation is not neglected until the ground 

 gets hard and compact, and weeds are large. 



The amount of cultivation needed will de- 

 pend upon the nature and condition of the 

 soil. Once each week up to the time of har- 

 vest is not too often and some good growers 

 cultivate more frequently. As picking time 

 approaches the surface soil should be kept fine 

 and loose. The size and quality of the berries 

 ;will depend very largely upon the amount of 

 moisture available at ripening time. 



During the harvesting season the pickers 

 tread down and compact the soil at a time 

 when the moisture supply is particularly im- 

 portant. It is a good plan to cultivate after 

 each picking unless the berries hang so low as 

 to become dusty. 



After the harvest season cultivation should 

 be continued to keep weeds from getting a 

 start, but if they have been conquered during 

 the early summer they will seldom be trouble- 

 some later. Frequent cultivation in the fall 

 encourages late growth and may leave the 

 plants in poor condition to withstand the win- 

 ter. If there is no late cultivation, however, 

 weeds may sprout and be ready for an early 



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