moisture at the time of the ripening of the fruit when it is most 

 needed. 



The Currant and Gooseberry require a moist lieavy soil for the best 

 results, but are liable to be thrown out by the frosts if the soil is not 

 well underdrained. 



The best soil for the Strawberry is a moist sandy loam. Upon 

 light sandy soil there is a tendency to the production of a large num- 

 ber of berries, but there not being moisture enough in the soil very 

 few will mature. 



Before planting it is necessary that the soil be made rich enough to 

 ensure a good growth, if it is not already in that condition. For 

 small fruits it is generally best to apply the manure or fertilizers 

 broadcast and harrow in, as it may also be done for the large fruits 

 if the land is to be cultivated with some other crop for a few years. 



If trees are to be planted in land not cultivated for other crops, 

 the manure or fertilizer would be more economically applied only 

 about the trees, increasing the area covered as they increase in size. 

 Untermented manure should never be placed in contact with the roots 

 of any tree or plant, but if decomposed and well mixed with soil no 

 injury will result from the use of a limited quantity. The best way 

 to use coarse manure is to apply it to the surface about the trees 

 slightly covered with soil. The quantity to be used must be varied 

 with the condition of the soil, but should be used sparingly upon the 

 peach until they begin bearing. 



Perhaps the best material to use where the soil is not sufficiently 

 rich for the production of fruit, is fine ground bone and potash, four 

 parts of the former to one part of muriate of potash. This at the 

 rate of one lb. to the tree mixed in the fine soil used around the roots 

 and one lb. applied near the surface will ensure a good growth unless 

 the soil is unusually poor. The holes should be dug a little larger 

 than the roots will extend and loosened a little deeper than they are 

 to be planted. For convenience and beauty trees should be set at 

 regular distances. 



METHODS OF PLANTING. 



Generally, the best time for planting is in the early spring, although 

 it may be successfully done in the fall when the leaves drop early and 

 the shoots mature by Nov. 1st. 



In the spring trees should not be planted uutil the ground will 

 work up fine, and not compact when pressed about the roots. If the 

 soil is light the roots should be planted a little deeper than they grew 



