New York AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 445 
CULTURAL: DIRECTIONS. 
Introduction.— In discussing the growing of these fruits the work 
is not taken up in detail to give full and explicit directions, but 
attention is briefly called to some of the most important subjects 
connected with the successful growing of the crop. The details 
will vary to suit the different conditions under which the plants 
may be grown. 
Soil.— Raspberries and blackberries are nearly as cosmopolitan 
as strawberries in regard to adaptation to soils. Deep moderately 
sandy loams or clay loams containing an abundance of humus 
usually give best results with raspberries, while blackberries are 
often at their best on a slightly heavier soil. It is important that 
the soil be not too wet as this condiion often increases the amount 
of winter injury. 
Fertiligers—— There is no one brand of fertilizers best suited to 
raspberries and blackberries under all conditions. The kind of 
plant food to use depends largely on the amount and kind al- 
ready in the soil and also somewhat on its physical condition. 
Some soils lack nitrogen, others potash or phosphoric acid and 
many are deficient in humus which not only supplies plant food 
but also aids greatly in the retention of moisture. Stable manure 
and cover crops are available for supplying humus. Care must 
be used in making applications’ of nitrogenous fertilizers or the 
resulting growth will not mature, a condition which may cause 
severe winter injury. If the soil is already rich in humus, it 
would appear desirable in some cases to avoid the use of stable 
manure, using commercial fertilizers in its place. Wood ashes, 
muriate of potash, acid phosphate, etc., are valuable where needed. 
The best way to determine the kind and amount to use is by trial, 
leaving check rows for comparison. 
Preparation of land.— Raspberries and blackberries, unlike straw- 
berries, occupy the soil for a number of years, and for this 
reason the preparation should be very thorough. If too wet the 
land should be underdrained. If for one or two years preceding, 
hoed crops have been used, there will be fewer weeds to fight. 
The land should be well plowed and thoroughly fitted to receive 
the plants. 
