58 



ground is fresh .and moist all the helter. But if such material is 

 not at hand, give the ground in the garden a thorough hoeing or 

 light forking early in June, and then scatter over it, between 

 the bushes, a mowing of coarse weedy grass that is not fit for 

 hay. Where currants are grown largely I believe it would pay 

 to raise orchard grass for the purpose of mulching. This starts 

 early and a heavy burden can be niowed even in May. Mulch, 

 by keeping the ground moist, largely increases the weight of the 

 crop. In the South and upon light soils it is indispensable to 

 any profitable success. Moreover, where it is not used the fruit 

 is generally badly splashed with mud, and only clean handsome 

 fruit brings paying prices. 



As any part of the wood becomes old and unproductive cut it 

 out. Keep the bushes thinned, strong and vigorous. Six or 

 eight stocky shoots will produce more and better fruit than a 

 much larger bush full of thick tangled branches and old wood 

 through which air and light cannot circulate. Cut out in spring 

 all the young suckers except what are needed for the renewal 

 of the plants. Bushes usually become unproductive through 

 over-crowding of young and old wood, till at last there is little 

 else save wood and leaves. Strong and long shoots of new 

 wood should be shortened in the fall or early spring, and this 

 young growth employed in producing new plants. 



Propagation. 



The currant can easil}' be increased by cuttings. The best 

 time to make these is the last of September, or as soon as the 

 wood is ripened. Take only the young growth of that season, cut 

 the shoots into lengths of six inches, strip off the leaves at once, 

 if they have not already fallen, set the slips out in rich, moist, 

 but well-drained land. Sink them down so that only three bud? 

 are left above the surface. Let them be in rows two feet apart 

 and six inches in the row. Top-dress with fine old manure, if 

 possible. By winter they will be quite well rooted, and in the 

 following season will make a very strong growth. When two 



