MANURES FOR FRUIT TREES 185 



tensively. The bush is not liable to the attacks 

 of the " bud mite " if the above-mentioned manure 

 is used. 



As the black currant bears its fruit chiefly on 

 the young shoots of the preceding summer's 

 growth rather than on the spurs (as with red 

 currants), so in the pruning care must be taken 

 that only old and straggling branches are cut out. 

 The bush which throws up a number of growths 

 from its base is the most profitable to grow and 

 cultivate. 



Currant bushes of all kiads are benefited by 

 watering them with a liquid manure containing 

 1 ounce of nitrate of soda, ^ an ounce of iron 

 sulphate, and ^ an ounce of superphosphate of 

 lime to a gallon of water. 



The growing of small fruit trees requires a com- 

 paratively large investment of capital per acre, and 

 also a better soil than is necessary for the produc- 

 tion of most of the large fruit trees. 



The son requirements of the different bushes 

 (currant, gooseberry, blackberry, raspberry, &c.) 

 vary considerably, but all thrive in a moderately 

 deep loamy soU that holds moisture well at aU 

 times without becoming water-logged during 

 protracted rainfall. 



The soU should be cultivated before planting 



