Abstract

A report on the present position of mechanical harvesting of raspberries in Scotland, and an analysis of associated problems. Low use of mechanical harvesters is attributed to the climate and the continuing availability of hand labour. Data are tabulated on the yields of plots of Glen Isla harvested with the Littau machine in 1979, on machine harvested yields of 7 raspberry cvs, and on yield loss in 1980 caused by machine damage in 1979. Three ways of dealing with the cane damage problem are outlined.