THE BLACK RASPBERRIES 



they reach a height of eighteen to thirty 

 inches, depending on their vigor. 



Removing Old Canes — ^When the harvest 

 season is over the bearing canes have fulfilled 

 their mission, and soon decline and die. In 

 climates where heavy snows sometimes break 

 raspberry canes in winter they are often al- 

 lowed to stand until pruning time in the fol- 

 lowing spring. Otherwise it is best to cut 

 them out and burn them soon after harvest. 

 They are then removed from interference with 

 the new growth, and many insect and disease 

 pests are destroyed which otherwise would be 

 transferred to the new canes. 



Spring Pruning — In spring, while the 

 plants are still dormant, weak canes should 

 be removed and laterals on the others should 

 be shortened. Half a dozen buds on each 

 lateral probably are better than more. Every 

 bud is a potential fruit bud, but if they are not 

 reduced in number many will contribute noth- 

 ing to the crop and so many berries may be 

 set on the others that the size and quality of 

 the fruit may be impaired. See illustrations 

 Nos. 6, 10, and 11. 



Soil Treatment 



Black raspberries respond promptly and 

 abundantly to good care, and soon lose their 



57 



