Evening star., 1943-05-16

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quality. The high prices charged
for marketed raspberries, due to
their scarcity and perishability, make
them somewhat of a luxury. Be-
cause of their desirability many
gardeners attempt growing them
without understanding their require
menss and limitations.
Not all varieties grow on clay soils.
Most of them do well only on sander
soils. Any choice of varieties should
take this into consideration. Then
too, Washington is at the Southern
limit of their commercial culture-a
rather definite indication that they
may not be counted upon to thrive
too we'll. Our hot, "muggy" climate
and low elevation do not seem to
agree with them. This is not sur
prising, for this desirable fruiting
plant has been developed largely
from native and European shade
loving wild species.
A shade loving plant needs some
protection from the sun, but it needs
even more a COOL moist root run.
This is probably the most serious
deficiency in our cultural practices.
We do not incorporate sufficient
quantities of humus into the soil
before planting. If before planting
we would grow two or three crops
of crimson clover, SoybeanS or even
rye and vetch. turning them under
at the proper time and perhaps add
ing manure, the soil would have suf-
ficient humus to provide the mois-
ture and the GOODNESS needed. We
seem to overlook the fact that to
grow raspberries in an area with
climate and soils not especially suit
ed to the crop it takes considerable
care and preparation If they are to
give any adequate return.
Cultivation
Essential
Most gardeners do not keep their
raspberries cultivated and free from
weeds and grass. 1t is generally
recommended, however, that to have
them succeed they should not be
forced to compete with grass or
weeds for moisture and food. Rasp-
berries are comparatively shallow
rooted and hence even grass is an
undesirable competitor. Only shall
low cultivation is recommended
Mulches, temporary or perma-
nent, save cultivation, aid in con-
trolling weeds and help to provide
a cool, moist root run. Leaves and
straw seem to be most satisfactory
Of the materials commonly available.
Raspberries, especially the reds,
tend to throw up more canes than
can fruit satisfactorily. Thinning
is necessary to overcome this growth
habit. Six or seven strong canes
are all that should be left to the
strongest clumps, while weaker ones
should not have more than four or
five. This thinning may be done at
hoeing time or when the old fruiting
canes are removed (after harvest
Raspberries Need
Fertilising
Raspberries need to be fertilized,
preferably just before fruiting. Any
good commercial fertilizer high in
phosphate and potash content gives
the best results. Nitrogen is not
needed in large quantities. All feed
ing, or anything else that might
stimulate growth, should be cur
tailed in the late summer or early
fall to allow the canes to mature
before winter Soft, immature canes
usually suffer winter injury.
Raspberries should be planted in
the spring in this area, preferably
very early before the buds begin to
swell and are subject to injury.
Ordinarily all kinds-red, black and
purple-are set to feet apart in
rows 6 feet apart. This assumes
hand cultivation. Cultivation with
horse or tractor drawn equipment
requires wider spacing of the rows.
Some gardeners pSefer to stake each
clump individually and where this
is done the clumps need to be spaced
deners use the hedge row. method
Of culture in which the canes grow
in an almost solid row.
The purchase of raspberry plants
Is OF great Importance to the sue
cess of their culture. Raspberries
are subject to certain virus"
diseases and every precaution should
be taken to insure obtaining disease
free stock. Some States maintain
rigid inspection of nurseries and
those found to be free of disease
are permitted to sell certified stock.
The few cents extra paid for plants
from such nurseries are we'll
invested.
Year-Old Plants
Wise Choice
Raspberry plants. in either / or 2
year old sizes, are commonly offered
by nurseries, although most gar
deners prefer to start with 1-year-
old plants. This size seldom fruits
the first year. but the years de-
velopment gives them better start,
which may be an important factor
In their future growth.
Set the plants an inch or so deeper
than they grew in the nursery. Red
raspberry plants may be set as much
as 3 inches deeper, but the black
and purple kinds only / to 2 inches
deeper.
Old Canes Should
Be Remored
After fruiting is over the old canes
Should be removed, primarily to
throw the plants strength into the
development of new canes which
will bear next years fruit, Their
removal is also safety factor as
the old canes are the more likely
to be diseased, or to carry diseases
over winter.
Among the many varieties of red
.aspberries the following are sug-
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