22 Bush-Fruits 



on the wagon and applied at the same time. A part of the 

 row is sometimes bent over with a fence-rail, which is 

 left on the plants to hold them down. 



A simple and practical method followed in Minnesota, 

 where protection is essential, is described by Kirkpatrick l 

 as follows: 



"Two men are required to do the work rightly. Facing 

 to the north end of the row, one takes a spading-forkful 

 of earth from the north side of the hill. The other man, 

 with an ordinary pitchfork, pushes the canes to the ground. 

 Planting the foot against the base of the canes and 

 pushing at the same time is advised. This causes most of 

 the bending to occur in the root, and often prevents break- 

 ing the cane. When bent, the canes are pinned down with 

 the pitchfork while the other man throws on them a few 

 forkfuls of soil, to hold them in place. Later, a complete 

 covering with soil, to a depth of three or four inches, 

 should be made. . . . Two men can do the work well 

 and rapidly. Trash or weeds mixed with this covering, 

 or under it, are not desirable; for they afford a harboring- 

 place for mice, which may injure the canes. 



"A machine requiring four horses has been planned to 

 do this work. While it covers them nicely, it has the fault 

 of breaking very many canes, and for that reason is not 

 extensively used. 



"The covering should be removed with a round-tined 

 fork in the spring, when the ground has become dry and 

 settled. Some of the earth is scratched off, and the canes 

 lifted to a slanting position with the fork. Many growers 

 leave the canes slanting as far as possible, and believe it 

 1 Minnesota Farmers' Library, Extension Bulletin No. 16. 



