RASPBERRIES 55 
equally around the crown, but do not cut back the 
central or anchor root, as this will never assume that 
tap-root character that in apples, pears, etc., leads to 
gross growth and unfruitfulness. Have ready a quan- 
tity of fine material composed of old potting soil, wood 
ashes, burnt refuse, and road grit, well mixed together, 
and work this over and among the roots so as to avoid 
any hollow spaces, but more especially to encourage the 
quick formation of fibrous roots in quantity. So arrange 
the plants that when planting is finished the crown or 
stock from which future stems will rise is three inches 
below the surface soil. Where the soil is heavy and 
cold the canes may be planted on instead of in the 
ground, lighter material being used to cover the roots, 
finishing off with the surface soil taken from between 
the rows. This method is adopted for the purpose 
of securing warmer and healthier conditions for the 
young roots. Curiously enough the same kind of 
planting may advantageously be adopted when the soil 
is poor and shallow, as in such cases the imported soil 
provides so much additional material from which the 
roots can draw food, and at the same time also holds 
more moisture than the staple alone. 
It need only be further mentioned here that the 
trellises should be placed in position before planting- 
time, so that there is no subsequent root disturbance, 
and also because it admits of the canes that are 
shortened to two feet being tied to the lower wire, a 
point of some importance, as the motion that wind and 
rain would otherwise cause is prejudicial to the 
rapid formation of roots. 
PROPAGATION 
Speaking generally, there is no difficulty in increasing 
stock of raspberries, as most varieties send out stoloni- 
