SMALL FRUITS 



187 



plants. They are planted in hills or in rows. The 

 rows are about three feet apart, and the plants in the 

 rows from twelve to eighteen inches apart. They will 

 yield a full crop of fruit the second season after they 

 are planted. The strawberry bed should be replaced 



every three or four 



years, as the young 

 plants produce the 

 most and best ber- 

 ries. Straw is used 

 to mulch the plants 

 in order to save 

 moisture, prevent 

 the growth of 

 weeds, and keep 

 the berries off the 

 soil, so that they 

 will be clean when 

 picked. 



Raspb erries, 

 blackberries, and 

 dewberries are 

 propagated from 

 root sprouts or by 

 layers. The red raspberry and the blackberry are 

 started from the root sprouts, while the blackcap rasp- 

 berry is started from layers. Layers are the tops of 

 the branches or canes laid down and covered with soil 

 until they take root, when they are cut off and set out 



RED AND WHITE CURRANTS 



