18 BUSH-FRUITS 



feet long. Into this are fastened seven teeth of % 

 inch round iron, 18 inches long. Poles at right angles 

 to the teeth serve for shafts and a bow is attached to 

 the head -piece for handling it. By means of such a 

 tool the canes can be quickly gathered into piles in the 

 rows, from whence they can be loaded on a hayrack and 

 drawn away. A spud similar to that shown in Fig. 3 is 

 often useful in cutting out the canes or in cutting off 

 soft young suckers. It may also be used with advantage 

 in putting down the tips of black-caps. 



For the spring pruning, which consists chiefly of 

 shortening -in the laterals, light, quick and easy -working 

 shears are needed. If the canes are not too large and 

 woody a good pair of sheep -shears is most convenient. 

 For nipping back the new growth in summer a long- 

 bladed knife or sickle with a keen edge will be found 

 convenient, particularly on young bushes where the 

 young shoots are so exposed as to allow them to be 

 clipped readily. On older bushes, where the young 

 shoots need to be clipped below the height of the older 

 canes, sheep -shears are better, though the thumb and 

 finger may be equally good. 



It is necessary to go over the plants more than once, 

 since it is very important that the shoots be pinched 

 when they reach the desired height. If allowed to 

 grow taller, then cut back, the laterals will not push 

 forth so vigorously. If only the tip is removed from 

 a tall shoot tha resulting bush will be top-heavy and 

 unable to hold up its load of fruit. 



For full discussion of the principles and practice of pruning, 

 consult "The Pruning -Book." 



