The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-03

The most practically enectual remedy that has
yet been proposed appears to be the application
of petroleum so that it will dffuse itself
through the soil. Professor Thomas Taylor, of
the United States Agricultural Department,
showed, several years ago. that kerosene would
destroy root lice on plants
RAsPBERRIEs
A rich. deep, weil-drained loan is undoubt-
eddy the best soil for the raspberry It is sooner
injured by excessive moisture than almost any
other cultivated fruit, and, in planting, an
elevated location should, il possible, always be
selected. In planting black-eaps of strong
growth like Gregg, the rows should be at least
seven feet apart, with plants three feet apart
in the row. Between the rows Irish potatoes
may be proftably planted the first season. Red
varieties of the Antwerp type should be planted
five feet apart, with plants two feet from each
other in the row. If properly pFGned, the
raspberry needs no artificial support. Plants
of red or black varieties should when two feet
high, have the terminal bud nipped for the
purpose OF forcing lateral growth, and thereby
increasing the pFOductiveness of the plant.
Such shoots generally grow in q circle, and
balance the plant when weighted with fruit.
As all shoots do not begin TO grow ut the same
time, repeated nippings, during the growing
season. will be found necessary. Biack-caps
are propagated from tips of the branches, that
should be covered with earth carly in Septem-
Der to enable them to take root. About the
end of October they should be taken up and
heeled in " on high ground, or allowed to re-
main where grown until Spring If not liable
to be lifted by frost. All dead wood should be
removed as soon as convenient after fruiting
terminates. This advice also applies to the
blackberry. and is prompted by the belief that
a dead branch largely taxes the vitality Of
living roots. Tyler and S0uhegan are probably
the best extra early black-caps now cultivated.
Tyler, on account of its superiority TO DoOittie,
is rapidly taking the place of that variety in
the great raspberry plantations of New York; ;
and Souhegan, more recent introduction, is
warmly commended by all who have tested it.
Gregg is the best very late black cap ever eul-
tivated. OF well-tested red varieties, Turner is
the best extra early sort. 1t IS very productive,
of the most delicious flavor, and perfectly
hardy. Cathbert has no equal as a very late
red variety. 1t is even later than Gregg, very
productive, hardy, and strong grower. Fruit
large, sweet, and very attractive in color.
FREQUENT SHALLOW CULTURE
The advice to cultivate frequently during
dry weather cannot be too often repeated, but
it IS equally important to avoid deep culture,
at this time, among growing crops. Not that
deep culture, so far as stirring the soil IS
concerned, can do any harm, but SO far as it in
jures the roots of plants it is wrong TO pre-
Vent the evaporation OF moisture from the
ground a mulching Of fine surface soil IS found
a very efficient protector. But the culture TO
produce this must be shallow, not over two
inches in depth, so that . thin layer Of dry
surface soil may be provided which viii act as
a non conductor. Deep tillage Of surfaee-roOt-
ing plants, like corn. is a very wasteful ope-
ration; corn crops are oftentines sadly injured
by having the roots ent by deep working
during dry summers. But so long as the cul-
ture IS shallow it cannot injure by frequent
repetition.