10 BUSH-FRUITS 



would seem to be especially desirable under those con- 

 ditions, though hedge -rows running north and south, 

 or in line with the prevailing winds, may assist in re- 

 ducing evaporation. On high-priced land in moist 

 climates, or under irrigation, close planting may give 

 better returns, though there is greater danger from 

 fungous diseases. The suckers, which spring up in 

 great profusion in old plantations of red raspberries 

 and blackberries, are more easily controlled by planting 

 in check-rows. A modification of the check -row sys- 

 tem is often desirable, the plants being set four feet 

 apart in the row and lined both ways, so that cultiva- 

 tion may progress in either direction while the plants 

 are small and when the old canes are first removed 

 after fruiting. 



Planting methods are simple. The previous soil- 

 preparation is of the utmost importance. If that has 

 been thorough it will be easy to put the soil in proper 

 condition to receive the plants. In this connection a 

 bit of the author's experience may be of interest as 

 a warning, not as a guide. When a young country 

 school-teacher, he decided to plant an acre of black 

 raspberries. The plants were ordered and appeared 

 very early in the spring, while the ground was still 

 cold and wet, but what to do with them he did not 

 know, heeling -in being to him as yet an unlearned 

 mystery. A man was hired to plow the ground, which 

 was too wet to work and was covered with a partial 

 sod. Without waiting to harrow it other men were set 

 at work with hoes making little holes and setting the 

 plants in this most uncongenial home. It is needless 



