1 879.] HARDY FRUITS. 113 



allow room for swelling ; sharp twine, and similar dangerous material, 

 should be avoided for tying purposes. 



" Examples of Wiring," in a contemporary, have been given by Mr 

 Sheppard of Wolverston (one of the most successful gardeners we are 

 acquainted with) ; and the crossing of the wires, as given according to 

 the plan of Mr S., is a system superior to our own in every sense, 

 though we are greatly pleased with the latter — the first expense is so 

 small for wiring — and its being permanent is more economical than 

 the untidy method of drawing nails, &c. The elasticity of the wire 

 now commonly used fits closely and tightly to the walls, so that the 

 shoots may be safe from draughts of cold air passing between them 

 and the walls, which seem to have perplexed divers cultivators. 

 Where mulching, staking, and firming the soil to roots of newly- 

 planted trees remain undone, let such important work have atten- 

 tion as soon as the soil is dry on the surface. Gooseberries, Currants, 

 and Raspberries still unpruned may be pruned as early as possible. The 

 system of leaving these late, to make up for the mischief done by birds, is, 

 we think, a questionable practice, and we have never patronised it much. 

 A wash of cow-manure, lime, and soot we never saw fail in keeping the 

 feathered tribe at bay, when painted over the branches or syringed on 

 them. When Gooseberries are pruned, the most upright-growing shoots 

 should be retained where they are required, spurring closely to the 

 main branches, always removing any stunted old shoots when healthy 

 young ones are there to take their place. The same remarks may be 

 applied to Red and White Currants ; but they remain longer in vigour 

 when spurred than Gooseberries. We have rejuvenated many Currant 

 bashes by introduction of new wood when they have been doomed to 

 the fire. Lifting Currants and Gooseberries is a good practice ; mulch- 

 ing thickly over their roots when all suckers are cleared away brings the 

 feeders near to the surface ; a reduction of watery growths and finer 

 fruit are the result. The lifting also reduces the evil of bushes dying 

 off suddenly. Black Currants simply require thinning regularly, leav- 

 ing the centres rather open ; topping any shoots growing too high, or 

 what is better,' cutting them out, leaving straight sturdy growths to 

 take their place as leaders. When pruning Rasps, leave from four to six 

 of the best canes to a stool ; they may be trained over as arches, tied to 

 upright stakes, or, what we prefer to any system, training them in rows 

 to several lines of wire placed horizontally, strongly fastened to oaken 

 or iron uprights. A thick coating of manure placed over the roots of 

 Rasps is of great advantage to them. Their natural position in a wild 

 state is in shady bog-lands, where they are cool at root. Cuttings 

 of Gooseberries and Currants, to keep up a stock, may now be made 

 and planted. About 15 inches of strong wood, with top cut off and 

 three eyes left, is a good useful size. All buds but those at top are 

 picked off with knife and cut clean below a joint at base. They 

 should be planted in rows firmly. Strawberries may be top-dressed 



