The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-07-25

The low prices Of all small fruits make
Il imperative that the grower should
practice every economy in their produc-
ton. Hand labor is always expensive
and should be employed sparingly. Leav-
ing the weeds to grow undisturbed
among strawberries or raspberries is
PROBABLY the most expensive method that
could be adopted by the grower. Many
implements in use for subduing weeds
among small fruits do good work if
properly adjusted and skillfully man.
aged. But after all, much hand work
has to be done.
Perhaps a statement Of our method Of
growing small fruits would be more in
structiye and satisfactory to most read
ers than explicit directions. Proper prep
aratlon Of the soil before setting is al
ways most economical. Still there are
frequently unfavorable and unavoidable
circurns tances that will necessitate some
changes of any plan. The aim of every
grower is, or should be, to grow the finest
quality and the most fruit at the cheap
est rate To do this the ground must be
brought to high degree Of fertility, and
10 perfectly clean and mellow cOndi-
ton Most Of our small fruits are grown
among peach trees or grape vines. Occa-
siOnally strawberries ere set where the
ground has been recently cleared OF some
otner crop. In the winter Of 1892 and
1893 an old peach orchard was taken out,
and the ground, after heavy manuring
and three plOwings, was planted with po-
t2toes. These were kept clean of weeds
during the season After two thorough
plowings last spring the ground was set
with plum trees and strawberries. As
special preparation, each row for straw
berries was opened by turning apart two
deep burrows. in which well-rotted ma
nure was thickiy strewn. This was COW
cred by throwing the burrows back, and
well mixed with the soil by running a
custvatOr over the soil several times. AS
soon as the strawberry plants had begun
to root frequent and shallow cultivation
was resorted to, followed by hight hoe
ing In this way the ground has been
kept clean and but little time was taken
for each hOeing. BY the time the run
ners start near,y all the weed seeds in
the ground Will haze terminated and
been destroyed Should weeds make
their appearance after a rain while the
ground is soft they viii be pulled. When
4 strawberry field is a year Old it should
De clean and not require wedding or hoe
ing TIL the crop is gathered. Then
thorough mellOwing Of the surface and
c.eaning of the bed should be done. For
cultivating fruits or corn we find half a
nent. The depth Of culture can Zoe so
'e1dily and perfectly regulated that we
consider il of great value in our work.
Almost precisely the same method is fol-
lowed by rs where strawberries are set
n young peach orchard or vineyard.
The second season the bed is not dis
sUrOed and generally gets quite weedy.
As soon as the crop is gathered the bed
IS plowed up and potatoes planted in the
lead burrows. Every few days the
80 ~~TH
Thomas smoothing harrow is run over
the ground, potatoes and al. This, if the
weather be dry. viii reduce all TO fine
tllth, add vegetable matter 70 the soil,
and generally secure good crop Of po-
tatoes. The next season the ground is
clean and ready for strawberry plant
ing
Raspberries and blackcaps may be kept
free from weeds with less hand labor.
The method depends on the way they are
set-whether in hills or in rows. If in
hills, SO that they may be worked both
ways with the plOw and cultivator, sim
ply pulling the weeds from the hills, and
with the improved Morgan horse grape
hoe, throwing a light furrow toward the
plants, Will cover the very small weeds so
hat but very few viii get large AS
nsnd-l3b0r saver in the cultivation of
grapes, raspberTles and currants il has
10 equal Where the hills or rows are
less than five feet apart the hoe should
which will be supplied as extras by the
manufacturers.
As my raspberries and blackcaps are
grown between rows of grapevines or
peach trees, they are set in rows that can
De worked but one way. The grape hoe
here comes in play as it leaves so little
ground undisturbed between the bushes,
vines, or trees that the hoeing Is reduced
TO a minimum. If the weeds that make a
rapid growth early in the season among
the bushes be pulled, a judicious use Of
the horse grape hoe and the cultivator
will keep the ground in good clean condi-
tiOn during the season, with but very
little hand labor. The blackcap bushes
are frequently subject to rust, and we
find il advisable to set out a plantation
every second year. If properly set and
cared for. a fair crop may be gathered
from bushes set the previous year; or as
soon as a crop Of strawberries. After
yielding three crops, the rows have be-
come 50 thinned by this disease that the
vines are taken out and the ground pre-
pared for some other crop. During this
lime the rows are sufficiently open to al
how the grape hoe to work advanta geOus-
y. All implements used in the cultiva-
ton of fruit should be so regulated or
set as to accomplish the desired work
as perfectly as they are capable Of do
Ing. The owner or some competent per-
son should see that the pillow. cultivator.
and horse hoe are properly adjusted. and
that the man working them pays strict
attention 10 his business all of the time.
A little carelessness in working with any
implement among fruit may cause great
injury and VIII be sure TO leave lots Of
weeds TO be pulled or hOed out.-W. d.
Bains in Rural New Yorker.