BULLETIN No. 21. 



SECOND SERIES. 



NOTES ON SMALL FRUITS. 



The progress made in the culture of small fruits during the past 

 twenty years has been rapid and substantial, but even at the pres- 

 ent time the importance of this branch of horticultural work is not 

 fully recognized by the people of the State. From the very nature 

 of the soil and climate of Maine we must look to intensive rather 

 than to extensive operations for the most profitable returns. At 

 the present time there is no line of work which seems more 

 promising than that of the culture of small fruits. With the increas- 

 ing importance of our summer resorts, new and extensive markets 

 are opened ; while the operatives in the factories are always large 

 consumers of fruit. 



The purpose of this Bulletin and of succeeding ones is to give 

 brief, concise hints on the culture of small fruits and information 

 concerning some of the more important varieties. 



The essential elements of success in small fruit growing are : 

 suitable location ; thorough preparation ; the best varieties ; 

 careful planting ; thorough culture ; the application of business 

 principles in marketing. 



The Strawberry. 



A warm, rather moist sandy loam is usually preferred in grow- 

 ing this fruit, but in general any soil that will raise a good crop of 

 corn will raise good strawberries. I would not be understood as 

 encouraging neglect in any way, but the minute directions some- 

 times given for preparing the soil and for planting are misleading 

 and are enough to discourage any novice from attempting to grow 

 fruit. 



Thorough drainage, either natural or artificial, is absolutely 

 essential, and thoroughness in the preparation of the soil is of 

 prime importance, but the excessive applications of manure and 

 the hand labor frequently advised are unnecessary. It is well to 



