PRACTICE OF GARDENING. 



2. — Raspberries. 



This is perhaps superior in flavour to the strawberry, 

 though not on the whole so palatable ; but it is neverthe- 

 less good and very wholesome. 



It will grow in almost any soil, but requires rich earth 

 and good manure to make it bear well, and the ground 

 must be well and deeply dug or trenched before planting. 

 The best time for planting is October, and though many 

 individuals recommend February and March, we have 

 more than once spoiled a crop by following their advice. 



From three to five offsets or suckers may be planted in 

 a clump, taking care not to let the roots dry in the sun 

 before planting, and the clumps should be from four to six 

 feet asunder ; or in rows, east and west, four feet apart. 



If fruit be not wanted the first year, it will assist in the 

 formation of stronger and finer young suckers to cut the 

 plants down to within six inches of the ground. 



The best sorts are the Antwerp red and yellow, the next 

 the cane ; but the sort which bears twice in the season is 

 the most prolific. The wild sort is good for nothing. 



As strawberry plants bear but two years, raspberries 

 bear only one year. The stems which are done bearing 

 should therefore be cleared away and kept for flower- 

 sticks, and also the weaker young shoots, leaving about 

 five of the strongest young stems, shortened to four or five 

 feet, in a clump to bear next season. They should be 

 slightly bent towards the centre, and tied loosely with a 

 small twig of willow round a stake, to prevent their being 

 broken by the wind : they require moving into fresh soil 

 every four years, on account of exhausting the ground. 



3. — Oooseberries. 



This excellent small fruit contains when ripe a good 

 deal of sugar and pulpy fibre, flavoured chiefly with the 

 malic acid. It is very wholesome and not unprofitable. 



The gooseberry will grow on the poorest soil, even on 

 the top of an old wall ; but for producing good crops, 

 requires a rich deep soil, well and deeply dug, or trenched 

 and manured before planting,] ^ 



