The daily sentinel., 1907-12-05

The majority of fruit growers In
northern Colorado have become
adopts in protecting small fruit
plants against the trying winters of
our climate. But there are many
people continually coming to the
state who have had no experience in
such matter, and the average man
who lives in town usually paws little
attention to such things, although
many would be glad to grow small
fruits for home use. Then the peo-
pie who live in the higher agricul-
tural sections of the mountains
would certainly avail themselves of
the opportunity to grow some of the
small fruits II 1t is possible to grow
them. But 1t is well known that In
most places included Ia the latter
class very few attempts are made in
this direction. However, certain
amount of fruit is necessary II
health is to be maintained, so exor-.
bitant prices are paid for inferior
quality. Most of the small fruits
should secceed where wheat will ma
ture and If given winter protection,
some of them even above the limit.
1t is believed that great good may re-
suit from calling attention to these
simple matters, and 1t is for this rea-
son that the Colorado Agricultural
College would call attention to this
particular subject
The protection of small plants dur
ihg winter Is simplicity itself. The
canes of bush fruit are entirely COW
cred with earth. while strawberry
beds are well coated with straw or
strawy stable manure. Peach trees
are even laid fiat on the ground and
covered during the winter. The
town of Loveland has. during some
seasons, shipped more red raspber-
ries than any other shipping point
In the United States, yet every cane
is protected during the winter.
Raspberry and blackberry canes
are bent over till they lie nearly
nat on the ground where the tops
may be held with pegs, a forked stick
or few shovelfulls of earth. One
or two burrows with a turning plow
on either side will now usually cover
the larger portion OF the canes so
that the job may be completed easily
with spade and a hoe. In many
localities the canes grow too long to
be easily handled, SO they must be
cut back to convenient height.
This Is done late in the fall after
Ter, side branches will develop and
they are undesirable under these con
ditions. Grape vines are protected
In the same way, but the fruit re-
quires much longer season In which
to mature and consequently should
hot be included in this class. Cur
rant and gooseberry plants might al
so be protected In the same way, but
1t VIII seldom be found necessary
The plants should be covered be-
fore hard freezing weather comes on,
and is usually done about the first of
November In this locality.
Strawberries are often injured by
becoming too dry, so provision
should be made If possible so that
this condition may not occur at any
time during the winter.
Good judgement must be used In
uncovering the plants In the spring,
If removed too soon, they are liable
to Injury by late frosts, and IL left
on too long, growth will start New
growths under these conditions are
unnatural and therefore weak. They
usually die when the plants are ex-
posed, and this results In much dam
age.
Considering the high price that
small fruits usually command. itl
would appear to be matter of great
economy, for many people to grow
fruits for home use. At any rate
the danger of winter killing of the
plants needs not stand In the way.
w. PADDOCK.