The Dickinson press., 1915-04-17

roll back the corners of a mortgage
quicker than the strawberry bed if
enough be planted so that the whole
family and the neighbors can be en-
ployed, especially in picking time. Fit
the ground early in April the same as
for corn. Mark n way as for corn;
then set the plants about sixteen inch
es apart and cultivate as for corn and
hoe whenever there is a sign Of weeds
or crusty soil. 1t takes about 1000
plants per acre when set as directed.
When the blossoms appear the first
summer pinch them off. Do not try to
secure fruit from the plants until the
second season.
As cold weather comes on be ready
to give the strawberry field a thorough
mulching. If it is done too early the
plants will be smothered and hurt: 1t
is not applied altogether as a winter
protection. for Strawberries are def
ant of cold. 1t Is the mulch that equal
ICES alternate freezings and thawings,
which upheave the plants.
The material to use in covering the
beds or rows Of plants is anything in
the way Of coarse vegetation that Is
free from weed seeds. Clean straw
and coarse grass are Of this character,
but there may be weeds in the straw
or grass. Timothy hay is always trou-
blesome because Of the seed 1t o n
tains, and coarse manure that has any
considerable proportion Of timothy Is
ohiootioro1, lo an fhof o0n0Iynf M0Ych
grass or cattail flags are free from
anything that is troublesome. The ref
use from sorghum mills can be used
with good results. 1t lies close to the
ground and if not put on too thickly
will serve the purpose Of keeping the
strawberry plants from feeling the
violent changes Of winter, retain the
moisture in the soil and keep the ber-
ries clean the following summer Corn
stalks, pine needles, tanbark and cot
tonseed bulls can be utilized in this
way.
There is a growing market for goose
| berries and a bright future for all that
| will be raised. This fruit does best
on a good sandy loan. Plants should
be set six by eight feet, thus requiring
1,21O plants per acre. The first sea-
| son potatoes, beans or any low grow
ing crop may be planted between the
rows. Give thorough but shallow cul-
tivation. AS to varieties, the Downing
gives best satisfaction. Buy only ex-
ira good year old plants. Profits are
fully as good and often better than
with strawberries. They should bear
some fruit the second year from plant
ing.
Blackberries are profitable If rust
does not attck the canes. There seems
to be no cure for rust. Set the plants
4 by 6 and give deep culture. We pre-
fer the Kittatinny, as they more
hardy than others. Blackberries do
best on a lightish and rather sandy
soil. They must be planted in rows
and kept well cultivated. The prun-
ing of the blackberry Is different from
that of most other small fruits. If
you cut back the canes severely you
are likely to remove a large portion of
the seasons crop. But you can thin
ont the shoots where they are runner
oUs and cut out the dead shoots.
Red and black raspberries should be
set 6 by 6, which will require 1,2fO
plants per acre. These plants must
have shallow culture, as their roots
are all ear the surface. Many fine
plantations are almost ruined by deep
culture. The crop is profitable when
picked on time and neatly marketed
A grower can pay for his land In a sin
gle cas- with a good crop Of berries
Currants are easy to grow and mar
ket. They pay at the rate Of $500 to
$500 an acre. The average price should
be So per bushel, and 100 bushels to
the acre Is only a fair crop. Each
currant bush ought to pay rs to &c
cents above the cost Of picking.