No. 4.] FRUIT CULTURE. 125 



Black Caps I set in the spring, five feet by three feet. 

 After trying various methods of training, we now use 

 posts and two wires, one each side of the row, which are 

 stapled to posts set along the row at intervals of fifty feet, 

 then bring the wires together every ten feet and tie. No 

 tying of canes is necessary. You who have not seen this 

 system tried may think it is a great deal of work, and I 

 thought it would be when I first concluded to try it. But 

 we found we could do the work a great deal quicker than 

 we could tie the canes to the wires, and when they were 

 once there they were safe. They would not fall down. 

 We use No. 11 grape wire. I have found the Souheganthe 

 most productive early black cap, and I prefer the Nemaha 

 to the Gregg for late, although I am growing both. 



Blackberries must next be attended to, as they start early. 

 I have the Erie, the Minnewaska and the Eldorado, but have 

 not fruited the latter. I have formerly grown others. I set 

 them in rows eight feet apart and three feet in the row. I 

 prefer setting posts and stretching a wire on each side of 

 the row, stapling to the posts and tying the wires together 

 the same as with black caps. There is then no tying of canes 

 and no falling or blowing down. Top the shoots when about 

 three feet high, and keep cut back so you can pick the fruit. 

 Keep the space between the rows clear. Be boss all the 

 time, or they will boss you. 



There is a seedling of the Lawton that is better than the 

 Lawton. It is found down in the lower part of Westchester 

 County of my State. The Snyder is a good, sweet berry, 

 and is perfectly hardy. You can rely on that, but there are 

 two troubles with it. After the first few pickings, especially 

 if the weather is dry, it becomes too small to sell, and it 

 will turn brown very soon after being picked. That is the 

 worst feature of it. You must fertilize that berry and treat 

 it first-rate if you want to get a good berry. I have not 

 grown the Agawam. I had not thought it superior to 

 others, and I do not want too many varieties. It is said to 

 be much sweeter than the Snyder. 



We now come to the time to prepare the soil for the 

 planting of small fruits, and as only last week I had an 

 inquiry to answer through the columns of the ' ' Rural New 



