CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 



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grown underneath them, for there is, of course, plenty of room for the 

 stem of a standard between these. 



Black Currants. The Black Currant delights in a deep moist soil, 

 and prefers a somewhat shaded position. It does not thrive so well on 

 poor, light land, although much may be done to improve this by well 

 mulching and manuring. The Black Currant must have altogether 

 different treatment to that required for the Red and White kinds. In 

 the first place, the lowest buds must not be re- 

 moved from the cuttings, when these are prepared, 

 for the fruit is borne largely upon wood of the 

 previous season's growth. The object then should 

 be to annually introduce as many young shoots as 

 possible, for these the following year will bear 

 fruit. Suckers produce fruit equally as well as 

 shoots that originate from the branches, and 

 therefore must not be destroyed. At the annual 

 winter pruning remove the old wood to make 

 room for the new, and by thus cutting the older 

 shoots back to a point where a younger one ori- 

 ginates the bush is kept full of good bearing 

 wood. 



Some of our small birds, bullfinches especially, 

 delight in picking out the buds from Gooseberry 

 and Currant bushes in spring, and if not destroyed 

 or driven away soon inflict serious damage. Cater- 

 pillars appear during early summer, and feed upon 

 the leaves. Undoubtedly the most effective plan, 

 although it occupies considerable time, is to pick 

 off the pests by hand. It is an excellent plan to 

 scatter lime amongst the branches of the bushes 

 after rain, so that it adheres closely, and also 

 spread some over the ground. When this is 

 carried out occasionally throughout spring and 

 summer caterpillars are seldom troublesome. 

 Some caterpillars injure the interior of a shoot 

 of a Currant bush, and decay results. If such 

 happens the shoot should be cut off and de- 

 stroyed. Black-fly also attacks the ends of the 

 young growths; to kill this dip the latter in a 

 strong solution of soft soap and warm water. . 



FigS. Amateurs do not pay sufficient attention to this wholesome 

 fruit, for when forced it will give two splendid crops. 



Pot Figs. This is a most interesting way of growing Figs, as they 

 fruit very freely and need little forcing. Propagation is not advisable 

 for amateurs to practise. Those who have no trees or convenience 

 for raising them should purchase from a good source small trees in 

 six-inch or seven-inch pots ; they are not costly, and ready for forcing 

 at once. With regard to forcing, so much depends upon when the 

 fruits are required. For May the plants should be started in January 



PRUNING BLACK 

 CURRANT. CUT 

 WHERE MARKED 



