188 SMALL FRUITS PAY WELL 



will be ample room for sunshine and air, there probably 

 will be an actual increase in the quantity of fruit as com- 

 pared with the hill system, although it is claimed that 

 the hill system is the one which will yield the greatest 

 number of large berries. 



Currant and gooseberry bushes, red and black rasp- 

 berry plants and grape vines, can be planted successfully 

 any time in the fall before winter sets in, but I always 

 recommend spring planting. 



The most important thing connected with gooseberry 

 culture is judicious pruning. This work, which cannot 

 be neglected, is done from late autumn to early winter. 

 Many of the vigorous-growing shoots and branches are 

 annually removed, and only a moderate supply of young 

 growing wood is left. The bush is made to assume a 

 cup-shaped top, with slightly drooping branches. The 

 cultivation and manuring are like that for the currant. 



In the cultivation of raspberries keep the canes pinched 

 off as they reach a height of four feet. This is easily 

 done, and makes them grow outside shoots on which ber- 

 ries will grow the next spring. Cut out all the canes of 

 raspberries which bear fruit as soon as the crop is 

 gathered. These canes are useless for further bearing. 



The raspberry is a prolific bearer. The first year it 

 makes canes, and the second year fruit. Private cus- 

 tomers can be secured for the fruit, or it may be sold to 

 grocers. 



The currant can be grown to great perfection north 

 or south, and large yields can be obtained. The hilling 

 of the bushes should be avoided, and level and shallow 

 culture practiced. 



Gooseberries require an open, airy situation, and clean 

 culture. The tops must be kept well thinned out to in- 

 sure good fruit. They should be dressed with well-com- 

 posted manure, and no weeds should be allowed to grow 



