The Culture of the Currant and the Gooseberry 



1597 



It is the general practice in New York to plow in the fall or spring, 

 or both. The productive benefit of the plowing, however, unless very 

 shallow, is questionable, since the roots of this plant feed so near the 

 surface that serious injury might result. For this reason, the currant is 

 adapted to mulching, but growers should not practice this system com- 

 mercially unless an abundance of mulching material is easily obtainable. 

 The system of mulching is recommended when the currant is planted in 

 the garden, where it is often neglected. 



fertilization 



Since the currant does best on a rich soil, it naturally follows that 

 this plant responds generously to liberal applications of stable manure, 

 which should be applied in the fall or early spring and thoroughly worked 

 in by the cultivator. In case additional fertilizers seem necessary, an 

 application of potash and phosphoric acid, in the usual form and amounts, 

 may be used. In western New York the patches that were fertilized 

 gave a higher yield and income in 19 10 than did those that were not 

 fertilized, as shown by the following table: 



PRUNING 



A knowledge of the fruiting habit of the plant is essential to an intel- 

 ligent understanding of the methods of pruning. Some fruit is borne 

 on the wood of the previous year's growth near the base, and often this 

 fruit is the largest. Wood that is two or three years old gives the most 

 and best fruit. Older branches produce fruit, but the amount is less 

 and the size of the berry smaller. The aim of the pruner, then, should 

 be to remove all branches over three years of age; to thin out the bush 

 in order to admit the sunlight and permit good air circulation; and to 

 head in those branches that make a long and irregular growth. 



Beginning when the plants are set, the pruning would be somewhat 

 as described below. The directions are given in detail in a definite form 

 in order to make them most helpful to the reader. Variations will be 

 necessary for different varieties and conditions. The grower must allow 

 for such variations as are needed. 



