46 



with the fall and spring rains, gives the young plants a fine start. 

 I next cut off the tops or canes a little above the ground, and 

 mound the earth entirely over them as winter protection. The 

 frost cannot injure them, and the work of planting is done when 

 usually we have the leisure to do it well. Early in spring, as 

 soon as the hard frosts are past, remove the mounds from over 

 the hills and leave the ground level. 



Do not let long tops remain on the plants with the view of 

 getting fruit the first year. Where this is done the usual result 

 is few and poor berries the first year, and scarcely any at all the 

 next. All the plants can do the first season is to establish 

 theiQselves and send up canes for the next year's fruiting. Even 

 where berries are desired at once, one or two buds left on the 

 shortened canes just above the ground will produce more and 

 bel^tor fruit than if the same canes had been left three feet high. 

 I should judge that fall planting would be still more advantageous 

 south of New York, but they will need the same protection, as 

 there is more freezing and thawing where there is but little snow. 



But in many localities, and especially to the north, spring 

 planting answers equally well, if not better. But let it be done 

 as early as possible, or else the little buds just above the roots, 

 which make the canes for future bearing, will start to grow and 

 thus be broken off in setting. The ground should be thoroughly 

 prepared by deep fall plowing, and again plowed and harrowed 

 in the spring. If all the preparation has been left till spring, let 

 it be very thorough. Nothing is gained by haste and slighting. 

 Do not plant when the ground is wet and stioKy, nniess it be just 

 as a good rain is commencing. Press the soil down quite firmly 

 around the plants, after filling the holes. Do not at any time, put 

 manure in the hills so that it will come in cohtacc witn the rooCs. 

 Spread it on top of the ground over them, and the rains will take it 

 where it is wanted. Many a tree and plant is injured, if not killed, 

 by placing green, strong manure directly upon the roots. But a 

 top-dressing of manure of any kind is of great value to the j^oung 

 plants, both in fall or spring setting, as it oives them a good 

 strong start at once. Old rotted compost has the tx^av effect, and 



