28 Bush-Fruits 



The flats or pots in which these young plants are growing 

 should be well plunged in the soil to avoid drying out. 

 This is of especial importance in getting the plants through 

 the winter safely, for lack of moisture in winter is as de- 

 structive to plant life as lack of moisture in summer. After 

 one season's growth the plants may be strong enough to 

 be set in the open ground, but they need mellow, well- 

 prepared soil and careful attention, for most of them will 

 still be small and weak. 



THINNING THE FRUIT 



Thinning is essential with all fruits, at times, if best 

 results are to be secured. Berries may be thinned by clip- 

 ping off clusters or portions of clusters, but such a process 

 is of interest only to the novice, or to the exhibitor, who 

 may wish a few unusually fine specimens. Thinning is of 

 importance to the commercial grower, but he accomplishes 

 his object in a much simpler way. His thinning is done 

 at the annual spring pruning, by leaving more or less 

 fruit-bearing wood. This is important and should be 

 kept constantly in mind at the time of pruning. Judgment 

 and experience are both essential if the work is to be prop- 

 erly done. If the right amount of wood is left, no further 

 thinning will be needed. 



FORCING BUSH-FRUITS 



The wealthy grower, who wishes to procure things out 

 of season, regardless of cost, will find it possible to grow 

 bush-fruits under glass if he wishes to do so. Young 

 plants of raspberries and blackberries can be started in 



