THE PURPLE RASPBERRIES 



should be cut back until only enough is left 

 to mark the row (see page 55). 



Pruning 



Purple raspberries are pruned much like 

 black caps. The tips are pinched from the 

 new canes in summer when they have reached 

 the desired height. With the purple canes 

 this height is about thirty to forty inches. This 

 forces the production of strong branches low 

 on the canes. Before growth starts in the 

 spring following, these laterals are shortened 

 to bring the crop nearer to the main cane and, 

 by reducing the number of buds, to improve 

 the size and quality of the fruit. Weak canes 

 also should be removed at this time. See il- 

 lustrations Nos. 10 and 11. 



In summer after these canes have borne 

 their crop they are cut out and burned as an 

 aid in controlling pests, or they may be left 

 until the following spring to furnish a measure 

 of protection to the young canes from break- 

 age by snow. Each plan has its adherents, 

 and both are successful. 



Culture and Fertilization 



Purple canes are heavy producers when well 

 grown and a strong healthy growth is highly 



63 



