838 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



Cultivation. The currant is propagated with the greatest ease from cuttings which 

 should &quot;be planted in the autumn or early in the spring. They will soon take root, and should 

 be about a foot in length when set. Currants will do well on almost any kind of soil, but 

 the best results require a deep, rich soil. At the South, they do best in a soil containing a 

 mixture of clay. As a general rule, the richer the soil, and the better the cultivation, the 

 heavier the crop, and the larger the berries. Before setting the cuttings, manure and pre 

 pare the ground the same as for any ordinary crop. Set the cuttings from three to three and 

 a half feet apart, in rows five feet apart; this will require nearly 3,000 plants per acre. Keep 

 the ground mellow and free from grass and weeds. Mulching during fruiting time adds to the 

 size of the fruit, and is essential in order to secure the best results at the South, where the 

 ground becomes parched in summer. Almost any loose material will answer for mulching, 

 except evergreen boughs. 



Pruning. With proper care and pruning, the vigor of the currant plants or shrubs 

 may be kept up for many years. The pruning essential is the thinning out of all the old 

 canes that show signs of failing, and in cutting back annually and thinning out the new shoots 

 from one third to one-half. This will add much to their vigor and productiveness. Pruning 

 may be done late in the fall or very early in the spring before the buds begin to swell. 

 Extra large berries can be obtained by pinching off the ends of the strong growing shoots 

 about the middle of June, or when the fruit is about two-thirds grown. This causes the 

 plants to expend all their strength and energies in increasing the size, and maturing the fruit. 

 The fruiting season may be prolonged by shading the bushes with straw matting or sacking 

 before the berries commence to ripen. By this means, the full ripening of the fruit may be 

 retarded until into September or October. 



Diseases and Enemies of the Currant. The currant has but few enemies and 

 diseases. The most common enemy is the currant worm (Abraxis rilearia), that eats the 

 leaves of the plants, and the currant borer (Prenocerus supernatatu^, that feeds upon the pith 

 or wood of the young shoots. For treatment, see DISEASES AND ENEMIES OF FRUIT. 



Gooseberries. The gooseberry (Riles grossularia) that is cultivated in our gardens, 

 is a native of northern Europe, the wild species growing in this country not having proved 

 very valuable for culture. It is grown much more extensively in some portions of Europe than in 

 this country, although it is receiving more general attention at present 

 here, than formerly. Great improvements have been made of late in 

 the American varieties, which may be said to constitute a new era in 

 the culture of this valuable fruit, which is excellent for making jellies, 

 pies, canning, and other household purposes, while it bears transportation 

 well, when sent to market. 



Yarieties. The principal varieties of the gooseberry are the 

 DOWNING, HOUGHTON S SEEDLING, SMITH S IMPROVED, and the AMERICAN 

 SEEDLING. These are all hardy and productive. The cut of the Down 

 ing is a good illustration of this variety, and is copied by permission 

 from the catalogue of Mr. R. H. Haincs of Moorestown, New Jersey. 



, . , -, , GOOSEBEREY. 



Gooseberries when in a green state are in good demand in the markets, 

 while when fully ripened they are a very delicious fruit. 



Cultivation. The gooseberry requires about the same general treatment as tne cur 

 rant, but rather more care, and the same directions respecting planting, growing, mulching, 

 pruning, currant worms, etc., will apply to its culture. It is a gross feeder, and requires a 

 rich soil, a rich, moist loam, if not too wet, being regarded as the best. Drouth is very 

 injurious to the plants, and for this reason heavy mulching is very beneficial. The pruning 



