SMALL FRUITS. 6 I 



Currants and gooseberries belong to the same tribe, or different 

 branches of the same (Ribes) family, and require substantially the same 

 treatment. 



Another method of growing both currant, gooseberry and grape cut- 

 tings, which is quite successful, is as follows: Cuttings are tied in bundles 

 and buried in a dry place, top-end down, so that the bud end is about one 

 foot below the surface of soil. Plenty of soil must be worked down among 

 the cuttings. Some straw or litter, thrown over the spot, serves to keep 

 the ground from freezing. The soil is removed in early spring to within 

 two inches of the cutting, and a thick layer of fermenting horse manure 

 thrown upon them. This warms the ground, and induces not only rapid 

 callusing, but in many cases formation of roots also. At the proper time 

 the cuttings are taken up and planted in the usual fashion in rich, well- 

 prepared soil. 



For currant and gooseberry worm remedies, and for treatment of the 

 borer, see chapter on " Insect Remedies." 



CRANBERRY. 



It is early yet to state with certainty as to the probability of success- 

 ful cranberry culture in this region, but the opinion is expressed that 

 those lands impregnated with alkali deposits will not be suited to this 

 fruit. It is more than likely that in the higher mountain ravines, or 

 depressions, which are comparatively free from the action of these salts, 

 and where running water is accessible, lands will be found on which the 

 cranberry will flourish. It succeeds over a wide range of country and 

 does particularly well between 38 and 45 North latitude. 



The best soil and situation, says Mr. Thomas in "The American 

 Fruit Culturist," for the cranberry, "consists of peat and muck bottoms 

 coated with pure sand, obtained from adjacent banks, and the ground thus 

 prepared, to be capable of being flooded with clear running water at 

 pleasure during winter, and thoroughly drained at other times. Drift 

 soils have proved unsuccessful. Muddy water over the plants injures 

 them." 



The leading cranberries are the Bell, Bugle and Cherry, with inter- 

 mediate grades. 



Another shrub (Viburnum Oxycoccus,) is sometimes classed as high 

 or bush cranberry, and resembles the snowball in wood and foliage. It 



