1 62 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



good results in a couple of years, provided the stems are sound, and the roots well 

 attended to in manuring. When the stems are defective, and strong growths do not 

 follow after cutting back, it is better to uproot the trees, having others planted in fresh 

 ground two or three years before, so as to afford the necessary supply of fruit. Pruning 

 is best performed in the autumn, directly the leaves have fallen, but currants are so 

 hardy that the work may be done at any convenient time up to the time the buds com- 

 mence swelling. 



Winter Culture. After pruning, clear away the rubbish. If there are any suckers, 

 remove them close to the root stem, not leaving any buds. Should the bushes be 

 infested with moss or lichen, dust them well with quicklime after rain or whilst damp, 

 that falling on the ground will act as a fertilizer, and sweeten the soil. This repeated 

 every second or third year keeps the bushes clean. Draw the earth from around them, 

 supply manure in its place, and cover this over lightly with soil taken from the open 

 spaces. Spread the removed soil over the undisturbed space, apply a dressing of manure, 

 about three barrow-loads per rod, or thirty-two on '-horse cart-loads per acre, dig it in 

 with a fork, and bury the annual weeds, which, with care, can be done without injury to 

 the roots. The manuring between the bushes may be omitted when they bear satisfac- 

 torily without such dressing. While the bushes are small the top-dressing around them 

 suffices, and, where manure or rich compost is not available, 2 or 3 gallons of cesspool 

 or manure -tank contents poured round them in winter, as far outwards from the stem 

 as the bush is high, will improve the growth and crop the following summer. Full- 

 sized bushes may be given two or three times the quantity named. 



In the absence of stable manure "artificials", may be employed. 1. Bone meal. 

 31 cwt. ; kainit, 1^ cwt., mixed, per acre, 3J pounds per rod, 2 ounces per square yard. 

 Apply in autumn or February. Double the quantity may be applied to poor soil, 

 sprinkling it on the surface as far as the roots extend. This mixture is substantial, often 

 showing good results until the third year. 2. Superphosphate of lime, 2 cwt. ; nitrate 

 of potash, 1 cwt. ; sulphate of lime, 1 cwt., mixed, per acre, 3 pounds per rod, 1| ounce 

 per square yard. Supply in March or early April. Where the soil is poor and the 

 growths weak, double the quantities, and to secure fine berries apply ~ pound per 

 square yard. This mixture only "lasts" one year. 3. Nitrate of soda, 2^ cwt. per 

 acre, If pound per rod, 1 ounce per square yard. Use from the buds swelling to the 

 fruit setting. It is best for light soils. Supply double the quantity when more growth 

 is wanted, applying half when the buds swell, the other half when the fruit is set. 



