BUSH FRUITS AND STRAWBERRIES 



173 



four to five feet ajDart in the rows depending- on the varieties. 

 Currants and gooseberries may be planted between apple, 

 peach, or pear trees, or grape vines. A little shade is not 

 objectionable. 



Fertilizers. — If from ten to fifteen tons of stable manure are 

 worked into the soil each year, no conmiercial fertilizer will be 

 needed. A green manure is also highly recommended. Apply 

 the manure in the fall. Do not pile it up around the crown. 

 Spread it out evenly over the surface soil. There is no "best'* 

 commercial fertilizer recommended. 



Priminrf. — Cut back vigorously the first year (red and white 

 currants). Fruit is borne on one-year-old wood and on the spurs 

 of two- to three-year-old wood. Prune out three-year-old w^ood 

 and let the young wood have 

 room to develop. Prune so 

 that the branches are arranged 

 to prevent the soiling of the 

 fruit during heav}^ rains. 



Black currants. — Remove all 

 wood that has borne two years. 

 One-year-old wood is the best 

 for bearing. 



Gooseberries. — Prmie simi- 

 lar to the black currant. One- 

 year-old wood and one-year- 

 old spurs bear the best fruit. 

 Remove branches lying close 

 to the ground. 



Cultivation. — Cultivate early 

 in the spring, working the manure into the soil. Shallow culti- 

 vation is best. Keep free from weeds and grasses. 



It is generally recommended that plants be bought from a 

 reliable nurser^Tiian, but cuttings may be made. If cuttings 

 are made especially of the currant, one-year-old wood should 

 be used from six to eight inches long. Store in a box of moist 

 sand in a cool cellar until spring, and plant out in rows, plants 

 three to five inches apart. After the root system is well formed, 

 plant into the permanent place. Fall planting is generally 

 recommended. 



Fia. 88. — Larvae of currant worm, green 

 dotted with black spots. 



