256 SUCCESS WITH SMALL FRUITS. 



can be extended far to the south, especially in the high 

 mountain regions. Even well to the north it is unprofitable 

 when growTi on light, thin, poor land, unless given liberal, 

 skilful culture. 



PLANTING, CULTIVATION AND PRUNING. 



I regard autumn as the best season for planting currants, 

 but have succeeded nearly as well in early spring. If kept 

 moist, there is little danger of the plants dying at any time, 

 but those set in the fall or early spring make, the first year, 

 a much larger growth than those planted when the buds 

 have developed into leaves. Since they start so early, they 

 should be set in the spring as soon as the ground is dry 

 enough to work, and in the autumn, any time after the 

 leaves fall or the wood is ripe. The plants of commerce 

 arc one, two and three years old, though not very many of 

 the last are sold. I would as soon have one-year plants, if 

 well rooted, as any, since they are cheaper and more certain 

 to make strong, vigorous bushes, if given generous treatment 

 in the open field, than if left crowded too long in nursery 

 rows. For the garden, where fruit is desired as soon as 

 possible, two and three year old plants are preferable. 

 After planting, cut the young bushes back one-half or two- 

 thirds, so as to insure new and vigorous growth. 



In field culture, I recommend that the rows be five feet 

 apart, and the plants four feet from each other in the row. 

 In this case 2,178 plants are required for an acre. If it is 

 designed to cultivate them both ways, let the plants be set 

 at right angles five feet apart, an acre now requiring 1,742 

 plants. Sink them two or three inches deeper than they 

 stood in the nursery rows, and although in preparation the 

 ground was well enriched, a shovel of compost around the 



