THE CURRANT. 143 



the transfer made as quickly as possible. Under 

 any circumstances, take off half of the wood from 

 the plants bought. This need not be thrown 

 away. Every cutting of young wood six inches 

 long will make a new plant in a single season. 

 All that is needful is to keep the wood moist until 

 ready to put it in the ground, or, better still, a 

 cool, damp place in the garden can be selected at 

 once, and the cuttings sunk two thirds of their 

 length into the ground, and the soil pressed firm 

 around them. By fall they will have a good sup- 

 ply of roots, and by the following autumn be ready 

 to be set out wherever you wish them to fruit. 



Currant-bushes may be planted five feet apart 

 each way, and at the same distance, if they are to 

 line a fence. They should be sunk a few inches 

 deeper in the soil than they stood before, and the 

 locality be such as to admit of good culture. The 

 soil should never be permitted to become hard, 

 weedy, or grass-grown. As a rule, I prefer two- 

 year-old plants, while those of one year's growth 

 answer nearly as well, if vigorous. If in haste for 

 fruit, it may be well to get three-year-old plants, 

 unless they have been dwarfed and enfeebled by 

 neglect. Subsequent culture consists chiefly in 

 keeping the soil clean, mellow, rich, and therefore 

 moist. I have named the best fertilizers for the 

 currant; but if the product of the horse-stable is 



