^ 



SSITY 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



CURRANTS, CONTINUED PROPAGATION, VARIETIES. 



PRUNING naturally leads to the subject of propagation, for much 

 of that which is cut away, so far from being useless, is often of great 

 value to the nurseryman ; and there are few who grow this fruit for 

 market who could not turn many an honest penny if they would 

 take the refuse young wood of the previous summer's growth and 

 develop it into salable bushes. In most instances, a market would be 

 found in their own neighborhood. Nothing is easier than success in 

 raising young currant bushes, except failure. If cuttings are treated in 

 accordance with their demand for moisture and coolness, they grow with 

 almost certainty; if subjected to heat and drought, they usually soon 

 become dry sticks. The very best course is to make and plant our 

 cuttings in September or very early in October just as soon as the leaves 

 fall or will rub off readily. As is true of a root-slip, so also the wood 

 cutting must make a callus at its base before there can be growth. From 

 ^this the roots start out. Therefore, the earlier in the fall that cuttings are 

 made, the more time for the formation of this callus. Often, autumn- 

 planted cuttings are well rooted before winter, and have just that much 

 start over those that must begin life in the spring. Six inches is the 

 average length. See Figures A, B and C. Let the cuttings be sunk in 

 ; deep, rich, moist, but thoroughly well- drained soil, so deeply as to leave 

 but two or three buds above the ground. In the garden, where the design 

 is to raise a few fine bushes for home use merely, let the rows be two 



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