•6bt BO.UiD OF AGKICULTUKE. [Pub. Doc. 



The Groselles. 



Soil (litd Glimatic Conditions. 



Like the bramble.s, the groselles are not sensitive to varia- 

 tions in soil, though the best returns can be expected from a 

 moist, fertile soil, fairly heavy. They will thrive better on 

 clay than the l)rambles. They are cool-climate plants, and 

 do better in cool locations, such as a north slope. Currants 

 are frequently planted in orchards, and give good results 

 under these conditions. A wet soil is unfavorable, because 

 it tends to induce heaving in winter. Currants in particular 

 are easily lifted and seriously injured by this cause. 



These plants are particularly hardy, and seldom or never 

 suffer winter injury, at least under conditions prevalent in 

 Southern New England. They are, however, subject to 

 injury from summer drought, though this is likely to be less 

 serious than with the brambles, for the reason that their fruit 

 develops earlier. A lack of moisture will reduce the size of 

 the fruit, hence for best returns a moist soil and good cul- 

 tivation should always be the aim. 



Fertilizers. 



Both currants and gooseberries delight in a rich, fertile 

 soil. Stable manure is avcII ada})ted to their needs, and no 

 connnercial fertilizer will give superior results. Experi- 

 ments in Massachusetts some years ago showed that the 

 (juality of the currant could be imi)roved by the liberal use 

 of potash. Since the fruit is developed so early in the sea- 

 son, nitrate of soda should prove a satisfactory source of 

 nitroii'en when chemicals nmst be used. 



Preparation and Plantiiif/. 



The j)reparation of the soil does not differ from that sug- 

 gested for the brambles. Underdrainiiig will i)rove ecjually 

 important in the case of wet soils liable to heaving. This 

 will not onl}^ avoid such injury, but also afford better moist- 

 ure conditions during the season of growth. 



A convenient distance foi- planting is six feet by four, and 



