GROWING GOOSEBERRY AND CURRANT PLANTS. 203 



GROWING GOOSEBERRY AND CURRANT PLANTS. 



GEO. W. STRAND, TAYI^OR'S FALLS. 



Currants may be increased either by cuttings, layers or division 

 of old plants. Where only a few plants are wanted and old ones of 

 that variety are accessible, if sections are taken which are fairly well 

 rooted and composed of the newer growth, they will make very good 

 and vigorous plants, but it is preferable to start them by either of 

 the other methods. 



For commercial purposes currants are grown almost exclusive- 

 ly from cuttings. These are made from the new growth soon after 

 the leaves fall, which is about the ist of September in this latitude. 

 They are made six or eight inches long and tied in bunches, having 

 the butts all one way. Although some plant them at once, it is pref- 

 erable to callous them first, as this hastens the rooting process. This 

 may be done by placing them in the ground butts up, covering them 

 enough to prevent them from drying out. Fermenting manure is 

 sometimes used to hasten it. As soon as calloused and before the 

 small roots start they should be set out about four or six inches 

 apart, in rows from three to four feet apart, set firm, in a slanting 

 position, leaving only the upper bud exposed. A mulch of straw, 

 applied soon after, will also be of great benefit, removing the same 

 from just over the row before growth starts in the spring. Cuttings 

 thus treated will have roots started before severe weather sets in and 

 are in condition to make the best plants. 



If necessary they may be set early in the spring, but they do not 

 stand near the chance of growing or making as good plants as fall 

 planted cuttings. 



Thrifty one-year-old plants are all right for transplanting, but 

 two-year-olds give the best satisfaction generally. 



Currants root very readily by layering. This may be done dur- 

 ing the fore part of the growing season by bending down and partly 

 covering the new growth. 



Gooseberries do not start as easily as currants from cuttings 

 and are grown mostly from layers. The layers are generally started 

 as soon as the new growth is long enough to conveniently handle in 

 June. These are taken up in the fall and transplanted into rows, 

 about six inches apart, to be grown for one or two years the same 

 as currants. 



Another method of starting gooseberry plants is to hill up the 

 two-year-old plants that are to be dug that fall. This will cause 

 roots to form in the newer growth, and a good stock of layers can 

 thus be procured with very little labor or expense. The trimming 

 up which the stock thus receives will be more beneficial than in- 

 jurious. 



