40 



THE HASFIiEKUY AND HLACKBERKY. 



Raspb(!rries and Blackberries aro familiar oxninplcs of 

 cano fruits. Tliey can easily be propagated l)y several 

 (HHIerent nietbods. (1.) By seed. This is principally for 

 the production of new varieties. 



(2.) By roots and root cuttings. A large proportion of 

 the varieties in cultivation produce suckers from the roots, 

 or what may properly be called underground stems. 



(3.) By layering or bending the top over and sticking 

 it into the ground. To succeed with this mode the layers 

 must be put down early in the season, as soon as the young 

 canes are of sufficient size to handle. 



(4.) By cuttings. There are but few varieties that 

 cannot be successfully grown from ripe wood cuttings. All 

 the varieties of Raspberries and Blackberries will grow 

 rapidly from green wood cuttings by the sauje process used 

 by propagators in multiplying the grape and other plants, 

 but there are so many other methods of multiplying them 

 that it will seldom be nece.sssary to resort to this one. 



Tlie canes of all varieties are only biennial, that is, the 

 canes that are produced qne year bear fruit the next 

 and then die. The roots, liowevcr, may be several years old, 

 as they are perennial. As soon as growth ceases and the 

 leaves drop off, the old canes should be cut away. 



Thorough preparation of the soil before planting is just 

 as important for the raspberry and blackberry as for other 

 fruits. Plough and prepare the ground as for potatoes or 

 other crops. Mark off the rows six feet apart, and set the 

 plants four feet distant in the rows. Some varieties may 

 require more room, some less. Blackberj'ies require more 

 room than raspberries. The tops should be cut down to 

 within a few inches of the ground, that the roots may 

 become well established before they supply nourishment 

 for long tops of green foliage. The ground should be 

 stirred and thoroughly cultivated with the horse and 

 cultivator, to keep the land free from weeds. Care should 

 be taken not to disturb the roots by too deep cultivation 

 near the plants. They can be cultivated both ways, thus 

 affording perfect cultivation. 



In the fall, if the canes need protection, they can be 

 bent over and held down by a .shovelful of soil placed on 

 their tops. In the spring they ^re lifted up and tied to 

 stakes. 



