BUSH FRUITS 55 



digging a spit wide along the whole length of the row we place 

 our line, level and firm the surface with the back of our spade, 

 and cut out a clean trench 9 inches deep with a perfectly level 

 bottom on which the base of each cutting can rest. The back wall 

 of the trench is slightly sloping, as clean and even as a brick wall, 

 and against this the whole length of the cutting rests in close contact 

 with the soil, except the two top eyes which rise above the ground 

 level after the trench is filled in. Where large quantities have to be 

 inserted, 2 inches from cutting to cutting is as much space as can 

 well be afforded ; and indeed that space generally proves sufficient, 

 though an extra inch would be an advantage to the growing plants 

 during the summer. 



In filling in the trench care is taken first that every cutting rests 

 upon a firm base, and also that it is in close contact with the wall of 

 the trench : and this being assured, the trench is about half filled 

 in and then the soil trodden about the base of the cuttings. The 

 remainder of the soil is then added and trodden, not too hard, and 

 another spit is dug, levelled, and firmed with the spade, and the 

 process repeated row after row, leaving 10 or 12 inches between 

 them. 



Throughout the year during which the cuttings occupy the bed, 

 their treatment is not exacting. The action of frost upon the soil 

 shows itself after the thaw by having loosened it, so that it does not 

 hold the cuttings in the tight grip we made a point of insuring. 

 This is easily tested, and where there is a looseness the soil between 

 the rows should be well trodden, but not until it has dried. There 

 will be no need for stamping, just the steady even pressure of the 

 foot and the grip will be again restored. More especially must this 

 be done after late frosts, for in quite the early spring the cuttings 

 begin to work both at top and bottom, and a few days* experience of 

 a loose soil, and perhaps a penetrating drying wind, is capable of 

 much mischief. 



As early as March begin to keep the surface of the soil stirred 

 with the hoe, and practically throughout the whole summer 

 periodical hoeing is the only attention needed. But it must be 

 periodic if we wish to get strong growths on our cuttings, for the 

 advantages of regular hoeing are very marked in the case of cuttings 

 of any kind, and are too well known to need recapitulation here. 



