6 BUSH-FRUITS 



earlier, in order that the loosened subsoil may become 

 saturated with moisture and somewhat compacted. 

 Plantings immediately following spring subsoiling may 

 suffer more from drought than those on unsubsoiled 

 land, because the recently loosened soil dries out more 

 rapidly. For the same reason fall plowing is to be 

 preferred in those parts of the country. It is essen- 

 tial that the soil at planting time shall be moist, 

 pliable, thoroughly and deeply pulverized, so that the 

 roots may quickly establish themselves. Soil which is 

 uniformly fertile by previous culture and manuring is 

 much preferable to one which has been neglected and 

 heavily fertilized at planting time. Acidity of soil is 

 less deleterious with bush -fruits than with many other 

 crops. Blackberries and black raspberries appear to 

 thrive as well in acid soils as in others. Red rasp- 

 berries, currants, and gooseberries are somewhat bene- 

 fited by liming if the soil is very acid. 



FERTILIZERS 



Bush -fruits do not demand heavy fertilizing. In- 

 stances are common where land which has failed to 

 yield good returns in farm crops has given good yields 

 of bush -fruits without fertilizers of any kind. It does 

 not follow that it is best to neglect fertilizing, but I 

 am convinced that it is easy to waste money in apply- 

 ing plant-food where it may not be needed. Stable 

 manure is most largely used, but is not a well-balanced 

 fertilizer. It gives particularly good results with cur- 

 rants and gooseberries. Upon strong moist soils it 



