330 GRAPES, STRAWBERRIES, BUSH FRUITS 



Except in localities where the winters are very severe, 

 fall planting is generally preferred. The plants then take 

 hold early in the spring and become well established before 

 the hot weather. If planted in the spring, they should be 

 set out as early as possible. 



Currants and gooseberries are generally propagated by 

 hardwood cuttings taken in late fall or early winter. One- 

 year and two-year- 

 old plants are used 

 for setting. Some- 

 times they are prop- 

 agated by mound 

 layering, but they 

 root so readily from 

 cuttings that layer- 

 ing is seldom prac- 

 ticed. 



Currants are usu- 

 ally set four to six 

 feet apart in the row 

 with the rows from 

 four to eight feet 

 apart. Black cur- 

 rants, being larger 

 plants, require more 

 space than red or white currants or gooseberries. As these 

 plants are all shallow rooted, shallow cultivation should 

 be given. It is necessary to cultivate regularly to pre- 

 serve soil moisture. 



Pruning. After the plants are set, little pruning is 

 required during the first three seasons, except to thin out 

 weak and crowding shoots and to head back over- vigorous 



Fig. 175. Harvesting currants. Note crate and 

 boxes used for shipping. 



