Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-08-31
0Noreester DAILY Spg.
CFrom the American Agriculturistl
SMALL FRUITS-NUMBER OF PLANTS AND
COST PER ACRE.

smaller fruits Is the most profitable what will
it cost to plant an acre how soon will they
bear; how long will they last :" etc Of
course, it is impossible to answer these cor.
rectly for each individual, as the price of the
plants varies in different localities; the char
acter of the soil is widely different; circum-
stances of climate will affect the yield, and the
value of the crop will be increased or dimin-
lshed as the locality is near or remote from a
large market. We say nothing about the cost
of preparing the ground, manuring, etc, as
each one can calculate that for himself But
it is essential that the land be in good heart
rich even-and that it be well and deeply
plowed, SUBSIDIZED if possible; and unless there
is natural drainage, artificial should be re-
sorted to. AS it is impossible to fully remedy
any defects in preparing the SOIL after the
planting is done, it is OF the first importance,
to properly attend to it while the ground is
clear
Whatever particular variety of fruit is cho-
sen, let the plants be strong and healthy, and
expose the roots to as little sun and air as pos
sible while transporting or transplanting. In
some localities a neighbor will have surplus
of plants, and they can be obtained at less than
the prices affixed. AT other places the cost
may be more than we estimate Our figures
are based upon the advertised prices OF first
class, eastern nurserymen, and the calculation
earliest variety, and taking them as they sue
cessively come into bearing, we have first the
STRAwBERRY-which may be planted in
August or September, or even in October, and
also i'll April or May. Set in Autumn, some
thing like half crop may be looked for the
next season, and full crop the following year.
When planted in Spring, which is usually the
best time, rything considered, there will be
no fruit the first year, but nearly a full crop
the second season. Taking the strong grow
ing Wilson's Albany, for example-which
should be cultivated in hills 18 inches distant
each way-and turning to the table on page
SO of the February Agriculturist, we find
1880 plants are required for an acre, at the
cost of about 1874, calling them SO per 1000.
Arrived at good bearing state, every three
plants should produce quart two plants will
frequently doit,) or 6,453 quarts per acre.
len cents per quart is low price for such
fine berries the season through, which
gives $645 for one years yield. When the
ground is properly prepared at first, and occa-
slonally top dressed with fine manure after
wards, they will continue in profitable bearing
five or six years. This is a large showing,
and although this yield may often be greatly
exceeded, it is better to estimate at less than
these figures as a general rule. Most of the
established varieties can be obtained at SO
per 100, and many of them less, but some are
yet held at higher rates. Ed. Additional
plants are obtained from the runners, which
push out freely and take root in July and
August; these may be transplanted in Fall or
Spring.
RAsPBERRIEs require more room. Most
persons prefer to plant in hills feet apart each
way, putting two or three canes in hill.
Others set in hills feet apart, putting single
canes feet distant in the row, two of which
70, 1t,
them. In the former way they can be worked
out with horse in two directions, but if only
two feet distant in the row, they can only be
plowed and cultivated one way. This plan
was illustrated on page 1872, vol II. About
the same number of plants will be required i'll
either case-Setting but two in each hill when
feet apart-or say $500 canes, at a cost of
about SO per 100, or 1852 for an acre. A little
fruit will be borne the first year, about the
same the second, and full yield or say $500
quarts, the third year, and rather increasing
afterwards. AT ten cents per quart the gross
receipts for one acre will be $3.50. With
plenty of manure and good tillage, they con-
tinue to yield profitable crops for many years.
The writer of this has plot of raspberries, a
portion of which was planted 10 years ago,
and this is quite as productive as the later
planted portions. AS most of the well tried
sorts require winter protection, it is better to
plant in the spring. The numerous suckers
or new shoots annually thrown up, may be
used in planting new grounds.
CURRANTs.-When planted four feet apart
each way, to be worked out with horse in
both directions, 2,722 bushes are required to
the acre. The well established red Dutch va
riety can now be had for five dol airs per hun
dred or one hundred and thirty dollars for
the amount required on an acre. Early
IC hncf tirno 10 soft ont md fha
plants should be trained in tree form, with
short, single stem, rather than as bushes with
innumerable suckers. No returns should be
looked for before the second year, and only
half crop then. After this full yield may
be expected, rather increasing for a year or
two longer. They will usually need renew
ing after having produced about six full crops,
although, when properly pruned and tended,
they sometimes bear proftably for eight to
ten years To increase the stock, put out cut
tngs in the spring rather than try to divide
the old roots. To prevent tendency to
throw up suckers cut out the buds below
ground, and for few inches above Calling
the yield one pound per plant, we have on an
acre 2, 722 pounds, worth $3.50 at seven cents
per pound
BLACKBERRIEs.-Theser require more room.
They may be planted in spring or autumn,
putting canes in rows eight feet apart, and
four feet in the row, to be trained upon wire
trellis. This will require 1850 plants per
acre-costing about $ll0 at eight dollars per
hundred. The land can be cultivated with
pillow between the rows, and even cropped
with something for the first year or two.
Blackberries bear, say half a crop the second
year from planting and full crop the third
year. Each well established plant of the New
Rochelle variety, with such ample space, is
GOOD for two quarts of berries at least which