328 On the cultivation of the Currant. 



inches of good old decomposed manure. It should then be 

 trenched eighteen or twenty inches deep, placing the top spit 

 and the manure at the bottom of the trench. When the bed 

 is settled, a little manure may be dug into the surface, and it 

 will then be ready for planting. 



Raising Young Plants. — Cultivators who wish to make 

 large plantations, and are desirous of raising their own plants, 

 can easily do so. The cuttings should be planted out in April, 

 just as the buds begin to push, selecting a shady border, and 

 planting them five or six inches apart; the cuttings should be 

 about a foot long, of the preceding year's wood, healthy and 

 vigorous, and cut off directly below a joint. If the bushes are 

 to be grown in the manner of small trees, with one main stem, 

 all the eyes should be cut out but the two top ones. Planted 

 out in this manner, they make pretty plants, which may be re- 

 moved to the fruiting beds the following year. 



Planting Out. — The period for planting out is any time af- 

 ter the fall of the leaf in autumn until severe frost, and early in 

 spring before the buds have pushed so far as to show their flow- 

 er buds. In dry situations, October is probably as favorable 

 a season as can be selected, as the plants start into leaf very 

 early in the spring, often before the cultivator thinks it time to 

 plant out, and a season is lost; but if the ground is inclined to 

 be wet in winter, the early part of April is the best season. 

 The modes of planting are various, some preferring to place 

 them on the borders of walks, and others in beds by them- 

 selves; we think the best plan is, when many plants are want- 

 ed, to set apart a small piece of ground for their exclusive 

 growth; but whatever situation is chosen, prepare the soil as 

 above directed. The proper distance at which plants should 

 be planted, is six feet apart between the rows, and four feet 

 from plant to plant: less distances than these will do, but the 

 chances of procuring large fruit will be less. To plant neat- 

 ly, aline should be stretched across the bed: at the proper 

 distances put down a small stake, then commence taking out 

 the earth: now place in the plant, setting it against the line; 

 spread out the roots carefully, and cover them with fine earth, 

 making it firm around the roots, and treading it lightly when 

 finished; give each plant a pot of water, if dry weather at 

 the time of planting. Keep the surface of the soil loose, 

 and clear from weeds, by occasional hoeings during the sum- 

 mer. 



