BUSH FRUITS 337 



fruited variety of the red. All can be grown in almost any soil, 

 but perhaps the best is a well -drained deep loam which is not 

 likely to become caked and hard in the hottest period of the 

 summer. The best situation is one in which plenty of sunshine is 

 available ; but currants can be grown successfully against a 

 north wall, and if the plants are properly managed the fruit will 

 be of good size and colour and will afford a satisfactory late crop. 



The bushes should be planted in October or November, the 

 holes being prepared in the same manner as for gooseberries. 

 The bushes may be planted six feet apart each way. 



The methods of pruning black and red currants differ somewhat. 

 In the case of black currants the operation should be directed 

 chiefly towards the encouraging of the production of healthy 

 young wood from the base of the bush. Old wood that has 

 fruited should therefore be removed. If it be borne in mind that 

 the black currant fruits on young wood and not on spurs the 

 secret of successful pruning will have been probed. 



For red and white currants the object to be aimed at is to form 

 a bush with eight or ten strong branches springing from one stem 

 as regularly placed as possible and leaving an open centre to the 

 bush All lateral growths should be pruned to two or three eyes 

 annually to form spurs. If it be desired to train currants against 

 a wall they should be planted three feet apart. 



Six good varieties of currants are as follows : 



CARTER'S CHAMPION. Black ; heavy bearer. 

 LEE'S PROLIFIC. Black ; hangs well after ripening. 

 BOSKOOP GIANT. Black ; large berry ; heavy bearer. 

 KNIGHT'S SWEET. Early ; red. 

 RABY CASTLE. Late ; red berries ; large. 

 WHITE DUTCH. Berries large ; transparent, yellowish 

 white. 



The currant, like the gooseberry, is best propagated by cuttings. 



In the case of the red and white varieties straight, well-ripened 



shoots fourteen inches long are suitable for the purpose and 



they should be prepared in the manner recommended for goose- 



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