Planting 67 



results. This does not mean that they should be put in 

 the bottom of a hard furrow at that depth. The land 

 should be well pulverized as deeply as it can conveniently 

 be done, so that the bottom of the furrow will be mellow 

 and friable like the rest. The plants are set in the bottom 

 of the furrow but covered only enough to insure a proper 

 start at first. The earth should be well firmed about the 

 roots but preferably with a little loose mellow soil on top. 

 The furrow is then gradually filled in later with the or- 

 dinary tillage given, as growth progresses. At the outset, 

 plants so set may not make so vigorous and even a start 

 as if set nearer the surface, but they are likely to with- 

 stand drought better and the canes are not so easily blown 

 over. On many soils, especially those not well drained, 

 there is trouble from heaving during the winter. As time 

 goes on the crown of the plant may be lifted entirely 

 above the ground level, leaving only roots beneath. Deep 

 planting helps to obviate this trouble to some extent. On 

 land where the subsoil is high and hard deep planting will 

 not prove satisfactory. It means that the roots find the 

 soil conditions too unfavorable in such situations. 



The young plants should be closely cut back when set. 

 Inexperienced growers may sometimes neglect this. Even 

 long canes are sometimes left, in the hope of getting fruit 

 at once. This is a mistake, for any fruit obtained the 

 first year is at the expense of the growth and vitality 

 of the plant. It will be deducted from succeeding crops 

 several times over. Plants which are not well cut back 

 do not throw up young shoots from the root so readily, 

 being more inclined to branch out from the old cane. 

 Four to six inches of the old cane is enough to leave with 



