480 



CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



garden roots, can be profitably used for small fruits if water and 

 fertilizers are intelligently used. This will be stated more fully in 

 the discussion of the strawberry, but the general fact is pertinent 

 to the growth of other small fruits also. 



Preparation of soil for small fruits should be most thorough and 

 careful. Even more generous work than that commanded in Chap- 

 ter X for trees and vines should be done. It is the more necessary 

 to work deeply because subsequent culture of small fruits must be 

 shallow. 



THE BLACKBERRY 



The blackberry is a great favorite in California markets. It 

 thrives in all parts of the State, and the plant is best suited of all 

 small fruits to yield generously without irrigation, though it relishes 

 sufficient moisture and repays it with fruit. There is great differ- 

 ence in practice as to supplying water artificially. The growth of< 

 cane, and the size and appearance of the fruit, will show the observ- 

 ing grower what should be the practice in his situation, and the gen- 

 eral suggestions as to irrigation in Chapter XV are applicable. There 

 are regions in which blackberries are irrigated weekly throughout 

 the summer, and others in which the berries are gathered from June 

 to November without irrigation. Of course, with such wide local 

 variations there can be no general rule for practice. Let the grower 

 simply bear in mind that if he does not get good, plump, and glisten- 

 ing fruit and good strong growth of new canes at the same time, he 

 should give irrigation. The requirements of the plant during the 

 fruiting season are great, and they must be met. Many failures are 

 due to lack of irrigation when needed. 



Propagation. Blackberry plants are secured by digging up the 

 shoots from old stools, securing therewith a bunch of fibrous roots 

 with a portion of the main root. To propagate on a large scale dig 

 up the roots entirely, and, cutting them up with pruning shears into 

 pieces about two inches long, plant them in a well-prepared bed in 

 the garden or nursery. Place the root cuttings about two inches 

 apart and cover about three inches deep with well-pulverized soil, 

 the depth being regulated of course, according to the nature of the 

 soil, deeper in light than heavy soils. A light mulch will assist in 

 retaining moisture. The time for this work is at the dormant period 

 of the plant. One summer's growth gives good plants for setting 

 out. 



Planting out Blackberries. Blackberries should be planted in 

 rows far enough apart to admit of the use of the horse and culti- 

 vator. As the constant tendency of the plant is to extend itself in 

 the growth of new canes, the rows should not be less than six to 

 eight feet apart, and the plants about three feet apart in the row. 



