n6 Success with Small Fruits. 



these down too flatly. Let the winter mulch not only cover the row, 

 but reach a foot on either side. 



Just before very cold weather begins, from the middle of November 

 to December 1st, in our latitude, we may, if we choose, cover our beds 

 so deeply with leaves, or litter of some kind, as to keep out the frost com- 

 pletely. We thus may be able to dig plants on mild winter days and 

 early spring, in case we have orders from the far South. This heavy 

 covering should be lightened sufficiently early in the spring to prevent 

 smothering. Plants well protected have a fine green appearance early in 

 spring, and, even if no better, will give much better satisfaction than those 

 whose leaves are sere and black from frost. 



As the weather begins to grow warm in March, push aside the cover- 

 ing a little from the crown of the plants, so as to let in air. If early fruit 

 is desired, the mulch can be raked aside and the ground worked between 

 the rows, as soon as danger of severe frosts is over. If late fruit is 

 wanted, let in air to the crown of the plants, but leave the mulch on the 

 ground, which is thus shielded from the sun, warm showers, and the south 

 wind, for two or three weeks. 



I have now reached a point at which I differ from most horticultural 

 writers. As a rule, it is advised that there be no spring cultivation of 

 bearing plants. It has been said that merely pushing the winter mulch 

 aside sufficiently to let the new growth come through is all that is needed. 

 I admit that the results are often satisfactory under this method, especially 

 if there has been deep, thorough culture in the fall, and if the mulch 

 between and around the plants is very abundant. At the same time, I 

 have so often seen unsatisfactory results that I take a decided stand 

 in favor of spring cultivation, if done properly and sufficiently early. I 

 think my reasons will commend themselves to practical men. Even where 

 the soil has been left mellow by fall cultivation, the beating rains and the 

 weight of melting snows pack the earth. All loamy land settles and 

 tends to grow hard after the frost leaves it. While the mulch checks this 

 tendency, it cannot wholly prevent it. As a matter of fact, the spaces 

 between the rows are seldom thoroughly loosened late in the fall. The 

 mulch too often is scattered over a comparatively hard surface, which by 

 the following June has become so solid as to suffer disastrously from 

 drought in the blossoming and bearing season. I have seen well- mulched 

 fields with their plants faltering and wilting, unable to mature the crop 

 because the ground had become so hard that an ordinary shower could 

 make but little impression. Moreover, even if kept moist by the mulch, 

 land long shielded from sun and air tends to become sour, heavy, and 



