|38 TIIE FRUIT GARDEN. [Feb. 



Likewise to currants, &c. against walls, give a necessary pruning 

 and regulation, as directed in January, &.c. 



Gooseberry and currant trees may be planted towards the end 

 of this month, if the weather permits, both in standards for the 

 general plantation, at six to seven or eight feet distance, and some 

 against walls, board fences, &.c. for earlier fruit, but principally 

 currants; and let these, for the most part, be of the best reel and 

 white sorts. 



You may occasionally plant a few of the best kinds of gooseber- 

 ries to north walls, which is the most suitable situation for them in 

 our climates; next to that, east or west walls; but plant only very 

 few to those fronting the south, as in such a situation the sun would, 

 in summer, be much too powerful for these shrubs. 



For the method of propagating and raising them, see the work of 

 the Nursery in March and October. 



Raspberries. 



Raspberries may be pruned towards the latter end of this month, 

 especially if the weather be tolerably mild; in doing of which, 

 observe to clear away all the old decayed stems which bore fruit 

 last season, and to leave three, four or five of the strongest of last 

 year's shoots standing on each root, to bear next summer: all above 

 that number on every root must be cut oft' close to the surface of 

 the ground, and all straggling shoots between the main plants must 

 also be taken away. 



Each of the shoots which are left should be shortened, observing 

 to cut oft* about one-third or fourth of their original length. 



The shoots of each root when pruned, if considerably long and 

 straggling, may be tied two or three together; for by that method 

 they support one another so as not to be borne down in summer by 

 the weight of heavy rains or violent winds. 



When you have finished pruning, or as soon after as possible, 

 dig the ground between the plants, observing as you dig, to clear 

 away all straggling growths in the intervals, leaving none but such 

 as belongs to the shoots which are left to bear. 



New plantations of raspberries maybe made about the latter end 

 of this month, where the severe winter frosts are over, and the 

 ground in proper condition; but where this is not the case, that 

 work must be deferred till next month, or until the soil is in a fit 

 state for cultivation. — For the method of making these plantations, 

 see thefruit garden in March and October. 



The Antwerp raspberries which had on the approach of winter 

 been laid down ami covered with litter, &c. on account of their 

 bein£ somewhat more tender than the common kinds, ought not to 

 be disturbed till the opening of good weather in March, unless 

 their buds begin to swell too freely. 



Strawberries. 



Continue to force early strawberries as directed last month, in 

 pages 34 and 105, which see. 



