216 IRRIGATION FARMING. 



three years old, all old wood should be cut from the cur- 

 rant bushes, and thus the bush be renewed from year to 

 year. Besides, new growth should be continually short- 

 ened-in during the growing season to stimulate produc- 

 tion of side branches. Even the laterals should be 

 nipped in a few inches. This will form a strong bush 

 and increase the fruit. There should be an abundance 

 of moisture at fruitage, as it will greatly aid fruit devel- 

 opment in size, yield and general appearance. For lack 

 of better sorts the writer is growing the old-fashioned 

 Red Dutch with marked success, but the war upon 

 insects is no small part of the labor involved. 



Capers. These Asiatic shrubs are not grown much 

 in America although their culture here, especially in the 

 arid regions under irrigation, is practicable and will some 

 day become quite general. The shrub is multiplied by 

 seeds, cuttings or layerings. Plant in the same way as 

 for the grapevine, but in holes less deep, and with 

 shorter cuttings. Sow the seeds in February, or earlier 

 if the climate permits, anywhere in the garden, as lettuce 

 or cabbage seeds are sown, then later on dig out and 

 transplant. Irrigate at once, and again in a few days if 

 the plants show si^ns of faltering. Replace, the first 

 year, all that may die. Plant in squares from four to 

 five feet distant. Weed very much the first year, and 

 less the following years. Prune the plants each year In- 

 cutting the branches nearest the trunk. If in a country 

 where it does not freeze, prune in the fall ; if in a coun- 

 try where the winters are severe, trim the branches at 

 eight inches in the fall, cover up with earth before cold 

 weather, and in the spring uncover the plants and trim 

 shorter. Manure now and airain. and by preference use 

 bone powder. Irrigate only when the plant suffers and 

 shows the need of water. 



Strawberries. If one wishes to experiment in a 

 email way on the efficacy of irrigation, a strawberry bed 



