1596 The Cornell Reading-Courses 



Perfection. — A comparatively new variety, originated by Charies G. 

 Hooker, Rochester, N. Y. Fruit in large, long clusters. 



PLANTING 



The currant may be planted in the fall or spring, but fall planting is 

 preferable. The wood of this plant matures quickly, which permits 

 transplanting as early as September. This enables the plant to become 

 well established before the ground freezes. Moreover, the currant starts 

 to grow early in the spring. If the planting is done then, there are usually 

 unavoidable delays that check the growth. 



The distance between the rows and the plants in the rows will be 

 influenced somewhat by the method of cultivation. Usually the plants 

 arc set in rows six feet apart, with the plants four feet apart in the row. 

 By this method one can cultivate both ways during the first years of the 

 patch. Later, when the plants have grown closer together in the row, 

 the cultivator is run lengthwise only. Some growers prefer to cultivate 

 both ways during the entire life of the patch. If one wishes to do this, 

 it is more convenient to set the rows five feet apart and the plants five feet 

 apart in the row. The practice in western New York is somewhat variable. 

 Most of the growers plant in rows six feet apart, with the plants three 

 to five feet apart in the row. In a few cases only is cultivation both ways 

 continued during the entire life of the patch, in which case the plants 

 are set five feet by five feet. 



The ground should be well prepared previous to planting. The rows 

 are marked off, both lengthwise and crosswise. A deep furrow is run one 

 way with the plow. The plants are then set at the intersections and at 

 such a depth that they will be about one inch lower than they were in 

 the nursery row. In planting, care should be taken to spread out the 

 roots and press the dirt firmly about them. It is not necessary to throw 

 back all the dirt by hand. After placing enough to hold the plants the 

 filling can be completed by the plow. 



CITLTIVATION 



The patch should be deeply cultivated and carefully hoed the first 

 year. The growing of cover crops is not generally practiced in New York 

 yet. Without a doubt, however, it would be very beneficial to grow a 

 cover crop of crimson clover, or something else, which gives a good cover- 

 ing in the fall and is easily worked up in the spring. Continue to give 

 the bushes good cultivation each year. Since the root system of this 

 fruit develops near the surface of the soil, it is necessary to cultivate 

 shallowly after a few years. 



