soil around the newly set plants is more particular 
and often of more importance than fertilizers (unless 
the soil is very poor). We remember visiting at one 
time a veteran fruit grower who was on that day har¬ 
vesting a crop of Blackberries. The crop was large 
and the berries large. The grower affirmed that the 
crop was the 36th and that he had never used any com¬ 
mercial fertilizer during that period, using only such 
manure that he could spare from his barnyard, but that 
he followed an “intensive cultivation with hoe and culti¬ 
vator.” 
When setting Raspberries or Blackberries the planter 
should (unless the soil is in moist condition, and even 
then the roots had better be puddled) see that all the 
roots are wet, the holes or furrows deep enough and 
wide enough so that the roots can be spread and set in 
an inch or two lower than their growth will show they 
stood in the nursery row, and the soil packed firmly on 
and around the roots. One year tip Purple and Black 
Raspberry plants should be handled like babies from 
an incubator and should surely be puddled before plant¬ 
ing. The germs, which are plainly discernible, should 
be set just below the level of the soil if the germ is 
white, but, if green, then the top of the green shoot 
should not be entirely covered. 
ASPARAGUS—May be planted in rows 3 ft. apart 
and the plants 12-18 inches apart. It is not necessary, 
as some think, to dig a deep trench for the plants. 
We plow or dig a furrow 10 inches deep, set the plants 
in center, spread the roots, putting the crown of the 
plant 4 inches below the level of the land, work in fine 
soil onto roots, firm it thoroughly, being careful not 
to bruise the crowns, then cover all crowns with 2 
inches of soil, thus leaving a hollow of 2 inches to be 
filled in after the new growth shows an inch or more 
above the level of the land. 
AS TO THE PLANTING OF SHRUBS, SHADE 
TREES, EVERGREENS, ETC.—The average amateur 
planter has much to learn. (We say this with all due 
respect to those who know how.) Many ornamental 
trees and shrubs do not grow as they should because 
the holes are not dug deep enough or broad enough 
or because the roots are cramped and because the soil 
is not firmed well enough around them. The hole 
should be at least twice as large as the roots appear 
to need. Soak the holes with water if land is dry, wet 
the roots or, better, puddle, and, after setting the 
specimen in center, gradually fill in the soil and firm 
it as you fill. Usually the trees and plants should be 
set 2 or perhaps 3 inches lower in their new location 
than they stood in the nursery row. This point can 
easily be determined by the planter. 
April 30, 1935. 
Mr. E. H. Burson: 
I received the nursery stock. The trees were fine and 
they were wrapped splendid as usual, I certainly appre¬ 
ciate this because some firms that I receive nursery 
goods from scarcely put on an excuse for a wrapper 
and the mulch will be running out and roots exposed. 
Kindly, 
[311 
(Signed) G. C., 
Watertown, N. Y 
