264 BUSH FRUITS IN THE HOME GARDEN 



Planting the Bushes. — Autumn is probably the best time to 

 plant currants. They sprout so early in the spring that it is diffi- 

 cult to get the ground ready for them in time. Black varieties 

 should be planted farther apart than the red varieties. Six feet 

 each way for currants is a good plan. The rows of red currants 

 may be five feet apart and the plants three or four feet apart in 

 the row. Use strong one-year-old plants if they can be secured. 

 Be sure to plant them deep as the roots tend to become too shallow. 

 Firm the soil well by tramping it about the roots but leave a light 

 mulch of soil on top. 



Cultivation. — Give clean thorough culture, particularly during 

 the first few years after planting. A row of garden truck may be 

 grown between the rows of currants for one or two years. 



Pruning. — Red currants produce their fruit on spurs which 

 develop from the wood two or three years old. There should 

 be a liberal supply of wood of this age. Therefore little pruning 

 is desired. After the wood is four or five years old, some of it 

 should be cut away each year. A little trimming may be necessary 

 to give the bush the proper shape. 



Black currants bear most of their fruit on wood of the previous 

 season's growth. In pruning cut away the older wood as it is no 

 longer of much value. This will help to keep the bush thinned 

 out. Black currants tend to spread rather too much and may 

 require shaping by pruning. 



Mulching and Fertilizing. — The roots of currants are near the 

 surface and should be well mulched with manure in the fall and 

 early winter. This will prevent heaving of the soil by freezing. 

 As the manure rots it will add fertility to the soil. It therefore 

 would not need to be removed in the spring. Incorporate it with 

 the soil by cultivation. On most soils the application of some 

 potash in addition to the barnyard manure is helpful. Use at the 

 rate of two hundred pounds of muriate of potash to the acre or 

 apply wood ashes liberally. Currants will stand heavy fertilizing. 



Picking Currants. — Currants are chiefly used for making jell 

 and sauces. They are sometimes made into pies while fresh or 

 from the canned product. In America they are seldom eaten out 

 of hand. 



Currants should be picked when they are in prime condition 

 before they are too ripe. There is danger of considerable loss if 

 they are left too long. For winter use the crop is chiefly saved in 

 the form of jell, but both black and red varieties are canned. 



