BUSH FRUIT PRODUCTION 



more plant food. If last year's treatment 

 failed to produce the right response, then in- 

 crease the amount this year; if last season's 

 fertilization brought about an over-vegetative 

 condition, then reduce the amount this year, 

 making due allowance for weather conditions. 

 In the absence of manures, commercial fer- 

 tilizers may be used to advantage where cur- 

 rants need additional plant food. The pecul- 

 iar requirements of currants have never been 

 thoroughly explored by research workers, and 

 in the absence of better information it is best 

 to use a standard, high grade, complete fer- 

 tilizer. The proper amount can be determined 

 only by making a trial application and watch- 

 ing plant growth as suggested in the paragraph 

 above. 



Pruning 



Currants are borne on wood that is one year 

 old or older. New canes are vigorous and 

 productive, but gradually decline in value as 

 they grow older. Red and white currants bear 

 most heavily on two-year-old and on three- 

 year-old wood. Pruning should therefore aim 

 to maintain a supply of wood that is not over 

 three years old. Black curarnts bear well 

 on one-year-old wood and may be pruned more 

 closely. 



102 



