Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-03-16
How to Grow Small Fruits.

| Farmers Week, Orono.)
In growing small fruits under idea
conditions we will consider the success
ion steps in the following order:
Location: A preferable location
would be one of sufficient elevation tG
allow OF good air drainage with gentle
slope to the east so as to derive all of th.
benefit possible from the early morning
sun; one hour in the forenoon being
, worth two in the afternoon.
Soil: Most berries can be grown on 8
medium light loan, but it should con
tain good percent of humus; rather
deep and retentive of moisture; vel
drained and free from witch grass AND
other weeds.
Cultivation Of Preparation: The lead
ing secret Of success in small fruits pro-
duction is in a system of thorough sol
preparation before the plants are set
Newly broken up land is not adapted to
best conditions. 1t should have been
under cultivation for at least two years
using such crops as corn or potatoes.
Then plow in late fall leaving the soil
in light ridges. Apply good coat OF
barn manure and disc II in, going length
wise Of the furrows. Do not plow the
following spring but use a cut-a-way
harrow until IL is in fine condition OF
tilth.
Plants: Secure plants of the desired
variety from thoroughly reliable nur
seryman. or nearby grower. Trim the
roots and dip in muddy water before set.
ting. In renewing plantations be sure to
procure some new plants to put with
those of your own plantation so as to in.
fuse "new blood" into the stock.
Planting Plans: There should be some
system in the planting out OF small
fruits. Each kind Of fruit should be in
one block by itself with a definite dis.
tance apart for each, and the ground
laid out in accordance with this plan.
Setting: Set the plants as fast as
they are dropped in place, and as soon
as the land is marked off to receive
them. There should be no drying out
of the soil from the time it is prepared
to the setting of the plants. Pains
should be taken to set the plants a
little deeper than they we're in the nur-
sery row, but with strawberry plants, do
not set below the CROWD; use fine soil to
cover the roots and press it firmly
around them. If necessary water the
plants at the time OF setting.
Cultivation of Maintenance: Ere
quent cultivation is necessary in order
to secure good stocky plants, conserve
the moisture and destroy weeds. Guilt.
vation should not continue much beyond
midsummer as the plant must have
time to ripen up the seasons growth of
wood or winter killing may follow.
Fertilizers: II the soil is rich and
contains sufficient humus no extra fertil-
izer will be required during the season.
II lacking in nitrogen . little ben ma
uure sprinkled between the rows just
previous to cultivation would be bene-
fetal.
Winter Projections: II tender varie-
ties are grown some form OF winter pro-
lection will be needed. With strawber-
ries some form of mulch is necessary !;
good clean straw Is best.
Spring Care: When the land has
warmed up in the spring so that the
danger of late frosts ia avoided, remove
the mulch and cultivate thoroughly be-
'Wccu tuC EOWe WIN cpiAc-'oosh W.
tivator. Apply a good commercial fertil-
izer and replace the mulch.
All old canes should be removed; trim
bush fruits If necessary, removing all
dead and injured portions; burning all
refuse.
Insect pests and fungus diseases
should be looked after and remedies ap-
piled.
Outlook: There never was better
outlook for small fruit growing at a
profit than at the present time. Maine
fruit comes on the market just after the
supply from other states become ex-
hausted; as a result prices are raised
and the demand is sufficient to hold the
price steady through the rest of the sea-
son thus yielding good profit to the
grower.
There is an increasing demand each
year owing to the large number of sum
mer visitors who are here in the height
Of the season.
Almost any section Of the state offers
fine opportunities for the development
of the industry, either locally or for Bos.
ton or other large cities.