77 



this way will occupy much less land. Only a sufficient number 

 of buds are to be left above the surface to form a well balanced 

 top. Some allow only a single shoot to grow the first year, in 

 which case the branches will be higher from the ground. When 

 cuttings of any kind are planted in trenches in autumn, they 

 will require mulching to prevent their being thrown out by frost. 

 The advantage of growing the plants in tree form is that it 

 admits of clean and convenient cultivation around and under 

 them, while if suckers are allowed to spring up from the ground, 

 as they will when the buds are not removed from the base of the 

 cutting, grass and weeds are sure to take possession and hold 

 their ground in spite of the cultivator's best efforts to suppress 

 them. Too many of the shoots that spring up are weak and 

 worthless, and they cannot be as 

 easily pruned out in forming the 

 top as when trained in the tree form. 

 Fig. 32 is a good representation 

 of a cutting when planted in the 

 trench, and Fig. 33 of the same 

 when rooted. If properly made 

 and managed, not five per cent, of 

 such cuttings will fail. 



The currant should be pruned in 

 autumn, and the wood may be util- 

 ized for propagating purposes. It 

 may be preserved in good condition 

 if packed in damp sand or moss 

 Fig. 32. and kept during winter in a cool 

 cellar, to be planted out early in spring. Some propagators- 

 prune in spring, and use the cuttings as taken directly from the 

 old plants ; but a larger per cent, will fail, and those that root 

 will make a comparatively small growth. A few evergreen 

 boughs set on the southerly side of the rows, so as to give par- 

 tial shade in summer, will enhance success. 



For field-culture, plant in rows five feet apart, with the bushes 

 four feet distant in the row. Cultivation in spring is not rec- 

 ommended, but if it is given early, and so shallow as not to dis- 

 turb the roots, no injury will result. Mulching between the 

 rows and under the plants will do much to suppress weeds, 



Fig. 33. 



