I70 CROP PRODUCTION 



under which the garden Currant thrives, growing 

 vigorously through a long season, retaining its leaves 

 till the end of summer, and producing an abundant crop 

 of good fruit. Without these favoring conditions, the 

 growth is weak, the leaves are shed long before the 

 proper time, and the crop is small in quantity and poor 

 in quality. 



In addition to the common Red Currants there are 

 several white varieties derived from the same source. 

 The Black Currants in cultivation are practically all 

 varieties derived from the wild European Black Currant 

 — Rihes nigrum. These are much more popular in 

 Europe than in America, for they are seldom grown here. 



Propagation and Culture 



Few fruit crops are easier to propagate than Currants. 

 This is done by hard-wood cuttings of the newly grown 

 canes. Vigorous canes that have just finished their sea- 

 son's growth are cut into lengths of six or eight inches, 

 tied in bundles of a dozen or more, and buried vertically 

 in sandy soil to an inch above their tops. They are left 

 thus until spring, being mulched with leaves or litter 

 through the winter. By spring the lower end will have 

 healed over by means of a callus and the cuttings may 

 be set six or eight inches apart in rows, being buried so 

 that only an inch or so of the upper end is exposed. 

 These will send out roots and shoots and by another 

 spring be ready to set out as one-year plants. 



In establishing the permanent plantation, two-year- 

 old plants are generally set four feet apart, in rows six 

 feet apart. The plants should be inserted a little deeper 

 than they were before, that a good root growth may be 



