FRUITS FOR COTTAGERS AND SMALL FARMERS. 



419 



up with soil, for a week or so, than to plant in wet, sticky 

 weather. 



No turf should be laid over the roots of newly planted trees, 

 but keep the ground clean from weeds and lightly stir it at 

 intervals for two years all over the surface two or three inches 

 deep, to let in sun and air. 



Strawberries. — -In planting, the collar or neck must be only 

 just below the ground, and the roots be well spread out on all 

 sides. 



Raspberries. — When planting, spread out the roots and 

 shorten back the canes to four or five eyes, in fact to a height of 

 six inches. You must not expect fruit the first season, but you 

 will have fine fruiting canes for the next. 



Note on Pruning. 



Apples, Pears, Plums, Damsons, and Cherries. — Cottagers 

 will do well to ask some neighbouring gardener to prune their 

 trees the first and second years, if they require it. After the first 

 year's growth has been made, standards will only need the re- 

 moval of shoots that cross one another, and about nine inches cut 

 off the points of strong shoots. Bush trees should have the side- 

 shoots of the branches well shortened back to three or four eyes, 

 and the leading shoots to eight or ten eyes. 



Strawberries. — When not wanted for fresh planting, the 

 " runners " should be cut off as they appear, so as to throw all 

 the strength into the plant. Do not cut the leaves off. Fresh 

 beds should be made every third or fourth year. 



Raspberries. — Thin out the young growths in early summer 

 by pulling up the superfluous ones, and cut out the old canes 

 altogether as soon as they have done fruiting. Manure should 

 be laid over the roots, but Raspberries should never be dug near 

 the canes. 



Currants. — Red and White Currants should have the side- 

 shoots of the summer's new growth shortened back to a couple of 

 eyes, and the main leading shoots to five or six eyes, more or less, 

 according as it is wished to let the bush increase in size or not. 

 The centre of the bushes should be kept quite free from growths. 

 Black Currants should be pruned on the exactly opposite plan, 

 cutting out the old wood and leaving the young summer growths 



