38 



RKNNIES AGRICULTURE. 



Renewing 

 Strawberries. 



The Melton. 



Gooseberries. 



Cultivation for 

 Fruits. 



Red Currants. 



frequently the first season to conserve moisture and 

 destroy all weeds. 



Renew by setting out one-third of the whole in 

 new plants every year. An equal portion of the 

 old stock may be plowed under and used for some 

 other crop. This rotation will give superior fruit. 

 Mulch late in the fall with coarse farm manure. 

 Uncover the crown of plants early in spring, and 

 leave the manure for mulching. The varieties are 

 so numerous that it is difficult to make a selection. 



The Melton (see III. ij) is regarded as one of 

 the best standard varieties at the present time. It 

 has a perfect flower, ripens medium early, and pro- 

 duces very large fruit. 



While Gooseberries do not grow to the same per- 

 fection in this country that they do in Great Britain, 

 yet the following varieties give, as a rule, very good 

 results: "Downing," green color (see III. 16); 

 "Whitesmith," yellowish white; "Industry," pale 

 red. Plant Gooseberries in rows four feet apart 

 each way. Train the bushes in the form of a tree. 



In the cultivation of fruits of all kinds there 

 should be an abundant supply of vegetable matter 

 incorporated with the surface soil to supply plant 

 food and act as a mulching to conserve moisture. 

 The cultivating should be done during the spring 

 months. In July sow red clover between the rows 

 of bushes, and some time during the following spring 

 spread between the rows some rotted farm manure, 

 and plow under lightly. Then harrow and cultivate 

 according to previous directions. 



No farm home is complete without a supply of 

 Currant jelly. The planting and cultivation of 

 Currants is similar to the method followed in Goose- 

 berries, except that Currants may be grown in 

 bushes instead of on a single stalk. By this means 



