60 HORTICULTURE BY IRRIGATION. 



any bush. These should be cut back each season, according to the growth 

 made. Where the tendency is to make a rapid wood growth, cut back 

 each season from one-third to one-half the season's growth. This pro- 

 motes the formation of fruit buds, and, of course, avoids the long, barren 

 stems so often seen in currant bushes. The aim should be to form a com- 

 pact, stocky bush that will not only yield well, but that will withstand 

 wind and weather. The small shoots or suckers should always be kept 

 down. They are an enemy to the fruit yield. 



In pruning, care should be taken not to cut too much of the old wood 

 if fruit is wanted, as the fruit is produced on wood of two years' growth 

 and upwards, and not on shoots of the previous season's growth. Black 

 varieties are, however, an exception to the rule. Their best fruit buds 

 come from the previous season's growth. 



We have raised at Gardenside, in one season, on less than an eighth 

 of an acre of bushes, upwards of 800 quarts of currants. When well man- 

 aged they are a profitable fruit to grow. 



CUTTINGS, ETC. 



Currants and gooseberries are propagated either from cuttings or 

 layers, usually the former. They grow readily from cuttings which may 

 be made in the fall or spring. If in the fall, where the ground is ready, 

 plant at once, covering close to the terminal bud. Protect them by a 

 mulch of coarse litter or manure. I plant both in fall or spring. Cut- 

 tings made in August, if the season's growth is mature, can be planted at 

 once and grown successfully, but the ground should be kept moist and 

 mulched, as stated. They may also be cut in fall or winter, when wood 

 is free from frost, and buried either in cellar or ground outside below the 

 action of the frost, and allowed to remain until ready for planting. In 

 this way they will often form small roots, and be in good shape for mak- 

 ing an immediate growth when planted. However, cuttings may betaken 

 as soon as land can be worked in the spring, and, if properly set, they will 

 grow readily. They are usually made in sections of six to ten inches of 

 new wood, and should be cut at the base near a strong bud. The 

 stronger the bud or buds are at the base of the cutting, the stronger will 

 be the roots and growth. Let the soil be mellow and rich, and have the 

 earth very firm around the lower end of the cutting. 



