Raspberry Culture

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22949, 29 January 1938, Page 10 (Supplement)

Raspberry Culture

rjOOD cultivation is necessary to obtain the best results from raspberries. The summer work is not arduous, yet it entails a good deal of attention. In a dry season, and especially on light, shallow soils, tho soil between tho rows should be covered with manure and light straw. Rain will wash the enriching salts into the soil and moisture will be conserved for the roots. On heavy ground, a mulch of more strawy material would bo better. This will prevent the soil cracking, with dire consequences to the exposed roots. The ultimate decay of these substances will provide the humus so necessary for raspberry culture, l'or tho same reason, top-dressings of leafsoil, or even grass cuttings, aro benelicial to the crop and the subsequent growth of the canes. During dry summers the plants respond to copious waterings. Plenty of moisture is as necessary to the development of young canes as to tho maturing of a crop of berries.

Raspberries arc prolific in suckers, these usually appearing over the surface of the ground at quite a distance from the plants. All of those not springing direct from or near the stool or rootstock, should be removed. Do not cut or chop them off, but pull them right out. Six or seven strong canes coming direct from the stool are suffici-

Value of Mulching

ont to savo for next season. Suckcring should bo regularly done throughout tho season. To allow unwanted canes to develop is to rob the canes and growing crop of sustenance which should be theirs.

As soon as tho fruit crop is finished, the old fruiting canes can be cut away. The earlier this can be done the better. The removal of exhausted canes will greatly facilitate the growth of the new ones, and there will still he a considerable period for growth before the season closes. The loganberry is growu bv many in placo of tho raspberry. Though this fruit has much in. common with the raspberry, there aro striking differences. One of tho most appreciated is the fact that there are no sucker growths to contend with. The young growths are produced during summer as with tho raspberry, but they cluster round tho main root. During growth, tie them loosely to upright stakes out of the way of tho fruiting canes.