The Delta independent., 1907-12-27
WINTER PROTECTION Of PLANTS.

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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 COM
ing to the state who have had no ex-
perience in such matters, and the aver
age man who lives in town usually pays
little attention to such things, although
many would be glad to grow small fruits
for home use. Then the people who
live in the higher agricultural sections
of the mountains would certainly avail
themselves of the opportunity to grow
some of the small fruits if it is possi-
ole to do SO. But it is well known that
in most places included in the latter
class very few attempts are made in
this direction. However, a certain
amount of fruit is necessary if health
is to be maintained, SO exorbitant prices
ire paid for inferior quality. Most of
the small fruits should succeed where
wheat will mature and if given winter
protection, some of them even above
this limit. 1t is believed that great
good may result from calling attention
to these simple matters, and it is for
this reason that the Colorado Agricul-
tural College would call attention to
this particular subject.
The protection of small plants during
winter is simplicity itself. The canes
of bush fruits are entirely covered 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
raspberries 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 fiat on the
ground where the tops may be held
with pegs, a forked stick, or with a
few shovelfulls of earth. One or two
burrows with turning plow on either
side will now usually cover the larger
portion of the canes so that the job may
be completed easily with a spade and 3
noe. 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 growth
has stopped. If done earlier, side
branches will develop and they are un-
desirable under these conditions. Grape
vines are protected in the same way,
but the fruit requires a much longer
season in which to mature and conse
quently should not be included in this
class. Currant and gooseberry plants
might also be protected in the SAME
way. but it will seldom be found neces-
sary.
The plants should be covered before
hard freezing weather comes on, and j.
usually done about the first of Novem-
Der in this locality.
The covering of strawberry plants
should not be applied quite SO early.
Strawberries are often injured by be-
coming too dry, so provision should be
made if possible so that this condition
may not occur at any time during tn,
winter.
Good judgement must be used in un-
covering the plants in the spring. II
removed too soon, they are liable to
injury by late frosts. and if left on too
long growth will start New growths
under these conditions are unnatura
and therefore weak. They usually di,
when the plants are exposed, and this
results in much damage.
Considering the high price that small
fruits usually command, it 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 need not stand in
the way.
w. PADDOCK.