62 



Field Culture. 



After thorough preparation the plants of red raspberries 

 may be set out in spring or autumn four feet apart each way, 

 covering them on the approach of .winter as before directed, if not 

 hardy, and uncovering early in spring. We are now getting such 

 good varieties of hardy kinds that it scarcely pays to plant the 

 tender ones on a large scale, except in localities especially suited to 

 them. As soon as plants are set out throw one or two shovelsful 

 of rich compost over and around them. Keep the plow, cultivator 

 and hoe at work, so that the ground is always loose and clean. If 

 tender, cover just before freezing weather. This can be done rapid- 

 ly by letting a boy bend them over, while a man fastens them 

 down by a shovelful of earth. Then, with a plow throw a furrow 

 over them upon each side, and go over them again with a shovel, 

 to make sure that all are well covered. The hardy kinds will 

 need no protection, although a shovelful of fine compost, thrown 

 over the roots in the fall, will give them a strong start in the 

 spring. Cut out the old canes as soon as you are through pick- 

 ing, as these are now worse than useless, and will absorb much 

 of the root power in their slow decay, which should go into the 

 new shoots. Put stakes of five feet in the hills the second year, 

 and tie up the canes before the buds swell. As soon as the crop 

 is gathered the stakes can be taken up and stored under cover. 

 Chestnut wood makes the best stakes, and if the part that goes 

 into the ground is charred a little with fire, they will last much 

 longer. Stakes split out of heavy wood are more durable than 

 round poles. 



I do not believe in the method of dispensing with stakes. 

 The bushes are often broken down by the wind or weight of ber- 

 ries, and muddy fruit gets into the basket and spoils the sale of 

 the entire crop, giving the grower's brand a bad character in the 

 market. 



Unless new plants are wanted for use or sale, treat the suck- 

 ers as weeds, leaving but from four to six in a hill, according to 



