The Farmer. Small Fruits.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1985, 28 March 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

The Farmer. Small Fruits.

A corrfsfondent of the Neio Fnnh\h Farmer, writes thus sensibly and practically :— The farmer should set apart a small piece of land especially for growing small fruits for family use, because it will be a luxury he can well afford. He has the land, and it will be UBed for a good purpose if he seta out a Btrawberry bed and devotes ft plot to raepberrie", and also seta out pome gooseberries ; of course, the currant will find a place on every farm without my urging ita claims. Grape vines are neglected by far too many farmers. There are now bo great a number of varieties, that it would seem that one could find some that would thrive in his own locality, and therefore, the farmer is neglecting a duty that he owes his family, if he fails to set a few vines, and takes good care of them. His wife and children will thank him for it. Who does not like good grapes ? Is it not a pleasure to grow them for home consumption ? If you Bhould happen to grow a few more than are wanted for your family'? use, they can readily be disposed of in the neighborhood or the village. Apples are to be found on most farms, to a greater or less extent, but what per cent, of farmers giow a full supply of small fruits extending through the whole season, as they ought to? It is said that they are so productive that they can be grown profitably on land worth £200 per acre ; be this as it may, however, I am well satisfied that they can be profitably grown for family use. The strawberry is the fruit to come in the spring, and it is also the most tempting to the taste, according to the writer's opinion, and the strawberry bed ought to bo found in all gardens, however small they may be. It does not require a large bed to supply a family witaan occasional dish of berries. One year ago last spring I set just six plants to see what they would do, and the last season they furnished us with six pints of fine strawberries ; and plants often do much better than this. Of course it is needless to grow strawberries without giving them care. The ground should be well prepared, and clean culture ia absolutely necessary ; and if they are supplied with a great deal of water, the yield will be largely increased. For family use select the finest flavored berries that produce well ; but for market the principal point is to select a large, showy variety, the quality not being co important, as consumers will look more to the appearance of the berry than they will to the quality. If a large bed is planted they should be set in rows, far enough apart to admit of horse cultivation. In the autumn, just as late as may bo, the plants should be given a light winter protection of hay; and in spring uncover the plants, leaving the hay on the ground as a muloh, and to keep the berries clean. I prefer to set a new bed every spring, as it is less work to do this than it is to keep the old bed free from weeds.