330 



SOME SPECIFIC ADVICE 



quently no suckers are formed. The tree currants may be 

 kept in symmetrical shape by annually cutting -back the 

 shoots of new wood, leaving but two or three buds to the 

 shoot. This may be done at any convenient time while the 

 leaves are off. 



"No definite rule can be given for pruning currants grown 

 in bush form, for the kind and amount of pruning necessary 

 is in each .case determined by the condition and individual 





+*n 



234. Illustrating the pruning of a currant bush. 



habits of growth of the bush to be pruned. In general, it 

 may be said that during the first two or three years the 

 bushes require but little pruning except to head -buck the 

 new shoots so that fruit-spurs will develop all along the 

 cane. Otherwise the fruit -bearing branches and fruit-spurs 

 will be found mostly near the top of a long cane. When 

 this is permitted, especially with some varieties, such as Fay, 

 for example, the weight of the fruit is quite apt to bend the 

 canes nearly or quite to the ground. Besides this heading- 

 in to keep the bushes in shape, the pruning consists of re- 



