HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 387 



at once. Remove the manure from the cuttings as soon as the 

 frost is well out of the ground in spring. The ground to be set 

 out may be prepared in the fall or as soon as convenient in 

 spring. 



Planting is next in order. The right distance to plant currants 

 is four to five feet apart each way, according to the size of bush of a 

 particular variety. This will give opportunity to cultivate both 

 ways. Mark the ground off both ways and plant two cuttings at 

 each intersection of the rows. If both grow, one can be dug up. 

 In planting them be very careful not to break off the little newly 

 formed rootlets nor to expose to the air too long. Select the 

 varieties wanted. Put them in a pail which has a little mud and 

 water in it to keep the roots moist. With a spade make a clear 

 cut down on one side five inches deep, throwing the soil out on 

 the other side. In this hole place two cuttings six inches apart. 

 Set them a little slanting; pressing moist soil firmly around the 

 base, being careful not to break off any rootlets. If the soil is 

 inclined to be dry pour in a dipper of water. Sprinkle in the hole 

 about two tablespoonfuls of wood ashes. Fill the hole with mel- 

 low soil, — press firmly with the foot, then a little loose soil on the 

 top and they are set. Finish the piece in this way and there 

 will be little or ho loss. 



CULTIVATION. 



Cultivation should be thorough until July when it may cease, 

 or be continued until August 1st, but not later. Great care 

 should be taken to avoid coming too near the cuttings, for if 

 loosened they may die. It is well to use a five toothed cultiva- 

 tor, cultivating both ways. 



PLANTING IN FALL. 



Cuttings may also be set in September, but if so planted they 

 should be short — about eight inches long. Set the top of the 

 cutting even with the top of the ground; covering with three or 

 four inches of soil, to be raked off in early spring. If one or two 

 year old bushes are used they may be set in October or Sep- 

 tember. One in a place is enough; a mound of earth should be 

 pulled up around each bush; mulch with manure and tie the 

 top up with a band of hay, which should be removed in the 

 spring. If the phmting is done in the spring, plant early, as 

 currants are one of the first things to start in the spiiiig. Good 



