HARVESTING AND MARKETING THE CROP 485 



Mulching is most necessary in wind-swept locations, or on 

 heavy soils, or in latitudes where the snowfall is light and 

 where freezing of the soil followed by warm days is a frequent 

 occurrence. By delaying slightly the removal of the mulch 

 in the spring, blossoming may be retarded in sections where 

 frosts are a factor. 



Any material free from seeds that does not mat down too 

 closely and yet that is not too coarse to defeat its purpose 

 will do. The choice will be determined by availability and 

 cost. Marsh or swale grass, straw, coarse manure, and pine 

 needles are all serviceable. Cornstalks are rather coarse but 

 help to hold the snow and are of value. The beginner is 

 likely to apply a heavier mulch than is necessary. A depth of 

 2 to 3 inches of the loose material is sufficient. 



Rake or fork off the mulch after freezing of the ground 

 is no longer a factor in the spring and in any case before the 

 leaves turn yellow. Much of the material will have settled 

 about the crowns. Leave as much of this as possible to keep 

 the soil moist and to prevent muddy and soiled berries at 

 picking time. That which is raked off may remain between 

 the rows, or, if such material is scarce, it may be hauled off 

 and stored for use another year. 



Oats or barley, sown in late summer between the rows, 

 may contribute a partial mulch, as they go down with the 

 first frost. However, it is possible that the loss through dis- 

 continuing cultivation at so early a date is greater than the 

 gain from the mulch. 



10. Harvesting and Marketing the Crop. The second sea- 

 son brings the main harvest, if the field was set the spring of 

 the preceding year. Thus plants set in March or April one 

 year will fruit heaviest in May or June of the next year. 

 Ordinarily, no cultivation is given the second spring until after 

 harvest. Weeds and grass may be pulled or hoed out, but if 

 thorough tillage was given during the preceding season there 

 will be little trouble on this score. 



The quart basket and the 24- or 32-quart crate are com- 



