CHAPTER XII. 



THE CURRANT. 



IN ease of culture, certainty, and productive- 

 ness, this fruit excels all others. It is also one 

 of the most healthful acids during the heat of 

 summer. Its compact form of growth adapts it 

 to garden culture, between rows and under the 

 partial shade of trees. Clean culture and a rich 

 soil will give by far the best results. The fruit 

 is produced upon shoots two or more years old, 

 and it is important that a succession of vigorous 

 branches should be maintained. Owing to the 

 dryness of our climate it is not desirable to 

 prune to a tree form, with a single clean stem 

 for a foot or more above the ground, as is fre- 

 quent in England. It is better to prune to bush 

 form, allowing new shoots to start from near the 

 ground to take the place of old branches as they 

 become stunted. In this way of renewal, and 

 by a fall surface dressing of stable manure, the 

 bushes may be kept in health for a score or two 

 of years. The proper distance for planting is 



