BUSH FRUIT PRUNING 



289 



Many more canes are likely to spring from the base of 

 the bush, but all but the two or three best should be cut 

 out, preferably after fruiting, at which time also the old 

 canes may be cut out and immediately burned to get rid 

 of any insects and diseases that may be present. Unnec- 

 essary and lusty shoots on the main canes may be cut 

 back to one or two buds in the early summer in which 

 they develop. Thus they will form fruiting spurs which 

 may fruit the following season. Upon these will be borne 



FIG. 247 STYLES OF BRAMBLE CANE SUPPORTS 



a, Considered best for vine-producing kinds, b, Used for extra long canes, 

 in this case 12-foot canes, c, Good for windy places, d, Good framework for sup- 

 porting red raspberries. 



much of the best fruit. Beyond such pruning as just 

 outlined little else need be done, though thinning out the 

 old wood and the young growths in spring may be nec- 

 essary when the bushes become too thick. 



212. The gooseberry, if neglected, as it often is, be- 

 comes one of the most unsatisfactory of fruit plants to 

 deal with. Under such treatment it produces far too 



