360 BUSH-FRUITS 



planting is oftener delayed until spring, though the 

 cuttings may well be taken in fall, and be buried outside 

 or placed in a cellar for winter, as directed for cur- 

 rants. If left until spring, they must be taken very 

 early, as they push into growth at the first touch of 

 warm weather. Cuttings are made from six to ten 

 inches long, using only well -ripened wood of the cur- 

 rent season's growth. Formerly the lower buds were 

 cut out before planting, in order to prevent suckers 

 from springing up, thus securing a tree form of 

 growth. This is no longer followed in commercial 

 growing, though it may be desirable where attractive 

 bushes are wanted for the garden. The soil should be 

 pressed firmly about the base in planting, and only 

 one or two buds be left above the surface of the 

 ground. Thorough mulching is imperative, if the 

 cuttings are planted in the fall. 



Some varieties, like Hough ton, root readily from 

 cuttings, but Downing and other strong, vigorous 

 growers do not, consequently layering is oftener re- 

 sorted to. It is generally believed that stockier and 

 better plants are obtained from cuttings. Bent lay- 

 ers root readily, but this is too slow, and the number 

 of plants produced is too small for commercial work, 

 so that mound -layering is the method followed. For 

 this purpose the plants are cut back severely in au- 

 tumn, to induce many shoots to grow the succeeding 

 spring. About July 1, when these have made their 

 principal growth, earth is mounded up about and 

 among them, leaving only their tips exposed. Ameri- 

 can varieties will root readily, and may be removed 



