ICO Lessons in Fruit Growing, 



following species are more or less cultivated in this 

 country: 



(a) The red (and white) currant {Rihes rubrum). 



(b) The black currant {Ribes nigrum). 



(c) The Crandall, Bu£falo or Missouri currant {Ribes 

 aureum). 



(d) The American gooseberry [Ribes oxyacanthoides). 



(e) The English gooseberry {Ribes Grossularia). 



233. Soil and culture. While the groselles will endure 

 neglect better than many other fruits, they respond liber- 

 ally to good culture. They thrive best in a deep, rich, 

 moist soil, and with liberal tillage or mulching. 



234. Planting. The groselles are commonly grown at 

 about the same distances as the bramble fruits. The goose- 

 berries and the smaller-growing currants may be planted 

 3 by 6 feet; the larger-growing currants should not be 

 planted nearer than 4 by 7 feet. 



235. Pruning. The only pruning needed by the groselles 

 is the cutting out of the oldest stems and the thinning of 

 the young stems when needed. The older stems tend to 

 droop and thus to interfere with cultivation and to bring 

 the fruit too near the ground. Four or six young shoots 

 are usually sufficient for one plant. 



A — THE CUREANTS 



236. The currants. The fruit of the currants is chiefly 

 used for jelly and preserves. All of the cultivated species 

 fruit thiefl}^ on short spurs from two-year-old or older wood 

 (Fig. 46). All are readily propagated by cuttings of the new 

 or older wood, planted in autumn or early spring. The cen- 

 tral buds of the cuttings are often rubbed off before plant- 

 ing to prevent more than two or three shoots from growing. 



