FRUITS FOR THE HOME GROUNDS 



Pruning the 

 Brambles 



somewhat to let in sunshine necessary to ripen the fruit. The work 

 is best done in the fall. 



All brambles are heavily cut back in planting, not 

 more than 6 to 10 inches of stem being left. The 

 smaller and weaker the plant, the more it should be 

 cut. Brambles are a compromise between a shrub and an herbaceous 

 plant; that is, the canes have but one fruiting-season. Proper prun- 

 ing is dependent on this habit — old canes must he cut out as soon as 

 they have fruited. The work of pruning may be deferred until fall' 

 or winter, but it is better if done as soon as the crop is harvested. 

 Brambles are all prolific in producing new canes, and these must be 

 thinned, leaving not more than four or five for the fruiting-season. 

 These fruiting-canes must be nipped back when they reach the desired 

 height; that is, they should not be allowed to grow higher and then 

 be cut back. So checking the growth causes the plants to throw out 

 vigorous branches near the ground and makes well-balanced bushes. 

 Red raspberries are an exception and should not be pinched back. 



Directions for cultivating strawberries may be summarized as 

 follows: The ground should be well drained if wet, plowed deeply, 

 and enriched as for garden crops. The plants may stand as close as 

 15 inches apart each way, and hill cultivation is preferable. To 



