258 



SMALL FRUIT CTJLTUKIST. 



times found upon high, dry soils, although it grows chiefly 

 in locations where the roots are immersed in water for the 

 greater portion of the year. That it will grow and pro- 

 duce fruit upon high and dry soils, I have proved by ex- 

 periment. 



There is no great difficulty in removing the plants from 

 their native locality to the garden, but our main depend- 

 ence for improvement should be upon seedlings, because 

 they will always vary more or less from the parent, and by 

 carefully selecting the best improvements, are certain. The 

 seeds are quite small, and require considerable care in sow- 

 ing. 



A good plan is, to crush the berries, and mix them with 

 fine sand ; then put them in a box or flower-pot, and bury 

 in the open ground until spring. Prepare a seed-bed, the 

 soil of which should be, at least, half leaf-mould, or peat, 

 from a swamp ; the remainder may be any good garden 

 soil. Surround the bed with boards, a foot or more in 

 width, mix the soil thoroughly and rake level, then sow on 

 the sand containing the seeds ; then sift over this soil suf- 

 ficient to cover the seeds, about a quarter of an inch deep, 

 give a good soaking of water and place a screen over the 

 frame. It may be made of lath, coarse cloth, or anything 

 that will partially shade the plants when they come up, 

 but not wholly exclude the light. Keep the soil well wa- 

 tered, applying the water with a watering-pot, or in such a 

 manner that the seeds or plants will not be disturbed. The 

 seedlings may be transplanted when one year old, if they 

 have made a good growth, or remain in the seed-bed for 

 two years. They will usually come into bearing in three 

 to six years, at which time the best should be marked, so 

 that they may be propagated. The inferior kinds may be 

 thrown away, or be reserved for stocks, on w^hich to work 

 the others. Budding and grafting may be employed in 

 propagation, as well as layers, the operation being per- 

 formed in the usual manner. 



