Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-05-06
AMONG THE FARMERS.
"sPEED THE PLow."

ofG6O ThB fLOhs
Correspondence on practical agricultural topic
70 solicited. Address all communications In.
tended for thi. department. 70 asNsT ~,
ocrst. Paris. Ne.
Planting Systems for Small Fruits.
(By 81. P. sweetser, Assistant Professor Of
Horticulture, U. of NJ
There are really three general systems
OF planting small fruits. (D Plantation
system (2) Inter cropping system and
(9 Cropping-in or filler system.
The first refers to paintings whore only
one object is in vlew-the production OF
small fruits on large commercial scale.
II this system Is followed no products
except small fruits will be obtained,
which Ia usually the case on large plan
tations.
The second system refers to the plan
where the rows are set far enough apart
so that hand hoed vegetables may be
planted between the rows for the first
year and perhaps the first two years In
the life of the plantation.
In the third system the small fruits
are used for filters between tree fruits.
Bushes, such as currants and goose
berries, may be used throughout an
orchard of tree fruits; or in some cases
brambles, such as raspberries, black
caps, or blackberries, may be planted
between the rows of the tree fruits.
do not wish to leave the impression
that this last system is one that recon-
mend but there are conditions where 1t
might be practiced to advantage.
Each of the above general systems
mentioned may be used with the differ
ent small fruits, but as there are also
specific systems for the various types OF
small fruits each will have to be men.
toned under the particular type of plant
to which 1t applies.
Bush fruits, such as currants and
gooseberries, are always planted 80 that.
the individual plant stands out by itself.
The same planting systems may be used
as apply to tree fruits. These are three.
The square system; the hexagonal sys'
tenn; and the quincunx system.
In these systems careful consideration
must be given to variety and habits of
the bushes to be set, so that the correct
amount of space may be assigned to each.
Currants should be set FIVE feet between
the rows and three feet apart In the
rows; gooseberries GA feet.
When planting brambles distinct sys-
TENS are followed. U the hill system;
(2) the hedge row system; (S) the linear
system.
The hill system is so arranged that
the original plan occupies definite
space, is not allowed to spread and can
be planted in the same fashion as that
mentioned for bush fruits.
The hedge row is the one most COM
monty used for brambles that reproduce
by suckers or root cuttings.
The linear system is gaining In popu-
larity. 1t is arranged by planting the
original canes fairly close together (1S to
"a inches) and not allowing sucker
growth to develop. The new canes from
the crown of the plant are all that are
allowed to develop, the suckers being
kept down by cultivation and pruning
Canes under this system give the most
satisfactory conditions for harvesting
and the rows may be closer together
than in the hedge row.
With strawberries there are also three
systems In common use: the hill system.
the narrow mat and the wide matted
row.
The hill system ia 80 arranged that
only individual plants are allowed to
develop.
The narrow mat is q matted row In
which the runners from the plants are
9Th nj, v,fdod into tha narrov afrin an.
signed to the mat or else they are cut
off.
The wide matted row is the most COM
mon system used by strawberry growers
in the east. This system allows oil OF
the runners from the plants to develop
and they are confined to strip about
two feet wide which after the first year
will be we'll covered with thick mat OF
plants.
In all cases before setting the plants
In the field decide on the system which
is to be used; assign the proper space to
each plant and actually draw detailed
plan on paper showing the location OF
each type and variety. This plan should
be kept for reference after the planting
is done.
In regard to training three classiflca-
tions should be made: Q) Development
of the Individual plant, (2) Stalking, (3)
Trellisipg. ,. l..
Training of bushes usually applies
only to the shape desired. With cur
rants the tree type or the bush type can
be decided on and then determined by
training.
Training cane fruits to stakes is Q
practice but It must be remem-
bered that such plan calls for consid-
cradle expense for stakes; and bills OF
cane must be tied to the stakes for sup.
port. This system gives good returns
but 10 expensive and makes the applica-
tion Of manures or mulch difficult if1
prscticed on large areas.
Trellisipg in some form is quite essen
tial to the best returns from cane fruits.
There are several types of trellises which
may be used successfully. The type OF
trellis may be regulated by the desire
Of the grower. There are post and wire
trellises varying from posts with single
wire to posts with two cross-arms and
two sets of wires at different heights.
There are also trelliaes made from
crossed stakes with wires attached.
These require less material for supports
but are not permanent. Still another
type, low trellis, is one made from short
stakes iu the form of letter A which Is
used only for low growing types OF vines
like the dewberry.
In oil cases end posts should be secure
~ anchored and wires OF sufficient
strength used between the posts,
The variety and vigor OF the plants
will determine very largely II trellises
must be used and the type to use In
those cases where some support 10 re.
quired to prevent losses Of ripened fruit
from contact with the soil or from being
brushed Of by pickers working between
rows.