632 



GROWING BUSH FRUITS 



12. Harvesting and marketing the crop. 



13. Protecting the plants in winter. 



1. Determining the Size of the Enterprise* Although the 



brambles are grown in large units for canning factories in some 

 sections, the prevailing type of planting is a small acreage as a 

 part of a diversified enterprise, with special attention paid 

 to local and nearby markets. Up to its capacity, the local 

 tow^n or city is often the best market. Even the neighboring 

 countryside will absorb large quantities, if the grower stays 

 in the business year after year and supplies a good product. 

 People come to look to him for their requirements, and farmers 

 will often purchase for family use rather than seek to grow 

 their ow^n. The advent of good roads and the motor truck 

 have greatly enlarged the local service area and the possible 

 market for such growers. 



The fruit is a soft and perishable product, ripening over a 

 brief period. These facts must be kept in mind with regard to 

 harvesting and marketing and will, of course, influence the size 

 of the enterprise. 



2. Selecting the Location and Soil. Select a site that pro- 

 vides good air drainage. This reduces danger from frosts at 

 blossoming time and winter injury, and helps in disease con- 

 trol. The berries are lovers of cool temperatures ; if a northern 

 slope otherwise well adapted is available, it should be pre- 

 ferred. Locations w^here the snow drifts heavily may result in 

 broken canes. On the other hand, a moderate amount of snow 

 protects from freezing and is desirable. 



Plant on deep, rich loams. A light or medium type under- 

 lain with, clay to hold moisture is probably best. The. moisture 

 requirement is a most important factor. It cannot be met by 

 planting on wet or heavy land, but rather through the incor- 

 poration of organic matter, following the same general treat- 

 ment outline for the strawberry and grape. So far as prefer- 

 ence is exhibited, the dewberry accepts the light soils; the red 

 and purple raspberries and the blackberry, the medium loams ; 



