386 ANNUAL REPORT 



Currants and gooseberries, growing in a wild state on rich 

 moist land supplied with an abundance of leaf mold and decay- 

 ing wood, suggest to us that they are gross feeders and will well 

 repay deep and thorough cultivation and a liberal supply of ferti- 

 lizers and manure. As no one will want to buy a new place for 

 the purpose of going into the business, I will say but little about 

 the location, except that which applies to all fruit growers, which 

 is, to be as near a good market as possible; although these fruits 

 are not as perishable as strawberries and raspberries, and a 

 plantation of them lasts much longer without renewal. 



As the chief endeavor of man is to make money and to have 

 something good to eat, my object in writing this essay shall be 

 directed to the unfolding of the former idea, — to enable him who 

 plants to make money. 



SOIL. 



Good, deep, moist loam, on clay subsoil, is the best, as this 

 soil needs less manure and mulching than sandy soils. Most any 

 soil however can be made suitable. Deep plowing and thorough 

 harrowing with a liberal supply of well rotted or rich stable 

 manure or woodland mold will put the ground in condition for 

 planting. 



AGE OF BUSHES TO BE PLANTED. 



They may be either cuttings or one or two year old bushes. 

 If a large quantity are to be set and money is scarce set long cut- 

 tings. If money be plenty set strong two year old bushes, for 

 they will begin to bear the next year after planting. To grow 

 from cuttings, select one year old wood about twelve to fifteen 

 inches long. Cut about the first of October. Cut smooth with a 

 sharp knife. I prefer long cuttings. Those who sell cuttings 

 will say that nine inches is the right length, but we have always 

 had the greatest success with long cuttings having tips. Tie in 

 bunches of fifty keeping the cut ends even. Cover them up in a 

 good sunny place in warm, mellow soil, packing the soil firmly 

 against the cut ends. Tie each variety separate with wire^. 

 (String will rot off.) Write the names plainly on each side of a 

 label which should be placed in the middle of the bunch. Cover 

 with six or eight inches of good soil; and before hard freezing 

 weather cover them with a coat of manure so thick that they 

 will not freeze. This is so the cuts will callous and begin to heal 



