10 



spring they should be thoroughly pruned, cutting out old dead 

 or diseased canes and small weak shoots, and if plants are very 

 thick they should be thinned some; also cut back the tops 

 about one-third each year. 



Having now produced our crop, we find that harvesting be- 

 comes a most important problem, for a great deal depends on 

 our success at harvesting whether or not the undertaking will 

 show a profit or loss. Raspberries and blackberries are fruits 

 which to be at their best must be picked at just the right time; 

 at the same time, they must be picked carefully and moved 

 rapidly. Never leave the boxes of fruit in the sun, handle 

 roughly or store in a damp place, remembering always that 

 these fruits are very delicate, delicious when in prime condition, 

 but of no value if over ripe or moldy, etc. 



Yields and profits of these fruits will vary' a great deal, but 

 with present prices and average yields of 3,000 to 4,000 pints 

 of red raspberries, 3,000 to 5,000 pints of blackcaps, and 2,000 

 to 3,000 quarts of blackberries per acre, we may be assured of 

 good returns. 



In closing I believe we should give more attention to the 

 growing of these fruits in Massachusetts. The experiment sta- 

 tions and others should test new varieties to find those best 

 adapted to our State, and also carry on experimental work in 

 producing new varieties which will better suit our conditions, 

 and propagate stock, so that clean, healthy, true-to-name 

 stock will be available and encourage in other ways the grow- 

 ing of raspberries and blackberries. Then and then only will 

 this industry flourish, and we will be able to supply the tre- 

 mendous demand for these fruits. 



The testing of varieties and the production of stock has al- 

 ready been started in a small way in this State, and I believe 

 with this start already made, a bright future awaits those who 

 are interested in growing these fruits. 



Mr. Cook. I would like to ask if among the purple canes 

 there are good red berries. 



Mr. Davenport. In the case of the new purple canes, vari- 

 eties that are being originated, there is more or less variation 

 in the color. Most people object to the varieties of purple 



