50 FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION. 



other to a rough trellis work. If more than one row 

 be desired, then the rows should be gft. apart. Plant in 

 early autumn. 



Pruning. The Blackberry requires, in this respect, to 

 be treated like the Raspberry i.e., when first planted, to 

 have its shoots cut off close to the ground. Thus no fruit 

 is borne the first year. The following autumn cut back 

 close to the ground again all weak shoots, and retain the 

 strongest only, which shorten to 3 or 4ft. The next sea- 

 son there should be plenty of vigorous growth and fruit. 

 About July cut away any weak new growths. Later on, 

 when the plants have finished fruiting, cut away those 

 shoots that have borne fruit, and leave those of the current 

 year to bear fruit the following season. Shorten these in 

 autumn to 5, 6, or 8ft., according to their vigour, and 

 train them to the trellis. Follow this rule in subsequent 

 years. Should any laterals form, pinch these back to the 

 third leaf. 



Feeding. When established and in full bearing Black- 

 berries will be greatly benefited by frequent supplies of 

 liquid manure from cesspools, house slops, or draimngs 

 from the stable. Heavy mulchings of manure will also be 

 beneficial. 



Propagation. The best way to propagate the Black- 

 berry is by rooting the tips of the strong shoots in the 

 following manner. Remove the point of a strong young 

 shoot when 2 to 3ft. high. In due course laterals will 

 form, and when these are 6in. long, bend the shoot down 

 to the soil and peg each lateral firmly on it. Each lateral 

 will then emit roots in about six to eight weeks, and it 

 can 'then be severed and planted elsewhere. Even strong 

 shoots, if their tips are bent down to the soil and secured 

 there, will root in a month or so, and form tiny plants. 



