LEAFLET 2 2 7, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 





branches along the trunk should be rubbed off or pinched back during 

 the growing season. 



In most cases $he vines, if properly cared for, will begin to bear 

 fruit, the third year after planting and should continue to produce a' 

 satisfactory crop for many years thereafter. 



Pruning should be done while the vines are in a dormant condition. 

 It is important to note that fruit is borne on shoots from the canes of 

 the previous year's growth. In pruning, therefore, enough new wood 

 should be saved to provide for the next summer's crop, and the rest 

 removed. With healthy, vigorous vines, 50 to 60 buds will produce 

 as much fruit as the vine can mature properly. More wood may be 

 left on vines for home production, provided sufficient space is available 

 for the vine to develop. With vigorous vines, the leaving of more 

 wood may result in a greater total quantity of fruit, but the individual 

 bunches may be inferior in size and the fruit of poorer quality. 



The pruning of raspberries and blackberries consists in removing 

 the old fruiting wood each season. These old canes should be cut off 

 close to the ground after the fruit has been picked, and the new canes 

 will then develop strong growth to produce fruit for the following 

 season. The tips of new shoots of black raspberries are pinched off 

 at a height of 12 to 18 inches, and those of purple raspberries and 

 blackberries at 18 to 24 inches. Red raspberries are not cut back, but! 

 the weak canes should be removed. Winter pruning of purple rasp- 

 berries and of blackberries consists in cutting back lateral branches 

 to about 12 inches and of black raspberries to 8 to 10 inches. 



Spraying. — For those who find it possible to spray in order to 

 produce the best quality of tree fruits and grapes, the State agricul- 

 tural colleges can furnish spray programs giving details of sprays and 

 times of application. 



Using the Crop 



It is just as important to save and use the fruit produced as to 

 produce it. The expert housewife becomes acquainted with the best 

 uses of the different kinds and varieties of fruit. When there is an| 

 abundant supply of any fruits, more will be used in the diet. Surpluses 

 should be canned, preserved, or frozen. In periods when fruit is not 

 available from the home garden, supplemental fruit should be 

 purchased. 



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