98 



Bush-Fruits 



loss, it will do much toward it. Thorough cultivation 

 every ten days throughout the season is the best known 

 substitute for irrigation, and should be vigorously main- 

 tained up to the time the fruit ripens, at least. 



A cultivator which will cut the suckers below the surface 

 of the ground is a great aid, unless plants are to be grown 

 for sale or for further planting. Two such implements are 

 described in the introductory chapter. A spring-tooth 



Fig. 12. Tilling blackberries with spring-tooth cultivator. 



cultivator, drawn by either one or two horses (Fig. 12), is 

 a most useful tool for blackberry plantations. 



Mulching proves very satisfactory where the conditions 

 are favorable. It is especially adapted to the home-gar- 

 den, where patches are likely to be small and inconven- 

 iently cultivated. There is sometimes a tendency to in- 

 duce too late fall growth, and in this respect it is inferior 

 to cultivation, for a cessation of tillage practically removes 

 the soil-mulch, at least if rains follow soon to pack the 

 surface. 



