106 TRANSACTIONS OP THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



PRUNING CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRIES. 



Mr. Hite exhibited specimens of currant bushes trained upon 

 the Spur system. The cherry-currant bushes were about seven 

 years old, the roots being eight or nine years old. There were 

 also specimens of the Red and White Dutch currant. The bushes 

 were all heavily loaded with fruit from the bottom to the top. 

 He explained the system thus : The first year allow one cane only 

 to come up from the cutting. The next year cut that half way 

 down, and it will start and grow very vigorously, and send out a 

 great many little side shoots, which must be pinched in about 

 the mi<ldle of June. Other shoots may come oiit, but by the 

 middle of August they m.ust be pinched off. In the spring of the 

 next year, it must again be cut off, leaving it half or three-quar- 

 ters of an inch from the stem. Side shoots must not be allowed 

 to grow, unless they come up from the ground. There may be 

 six or eight canes allowed to grow, so that the main stem can be 

 replaced at any time. A stake may be put up and all fastened 

 to that. A stake will be necessary in order to support the fruit, 

 and the canes may be all tied together to that like an umbrella. 

 The same system, with some slight modifications is applicable to 

 the gooseberry. In this case instead of a single stem, a tree is 

 formed. By this process fruit is generally obtained the second 

 year, and will bear every year in profusion. The cherry currant 

 has some peculiarities. At this season of the year the upper 

 shoot will sometimes stop growing, while the others continue to 

 grow. If an inch or two of the shoot is cut off it will again 

 begin to grow. The summer is the best season for pruning the 

 cherry currant. By this system, there is but one stem, and the 

 fruit is much easier to pick. Currants pruned in this way can 

 be planted two feet apart. 



Mr. H. proceeded to exhibit specimens of gooseberries, and 

 remarked that since adopting this plan of pruning he had not 

 been troubled by the mildew. 



The Chairman remarked that the Crown Bob could be grown 

 well in the close'jT^ards of the city. 



Mr. Hite. — If a gooseberry bush is attacked with the mildew, 

 it will be paralysed down to about three inches from the ground, 

 where there will be a bud started. Cut it down to that, and 

 burn the top. It will soon send up a vigorous shoot, which will 

 grow six or eight inches before fall. 



