200 BUSH FRUITS 



the wood ripens up early in the autumn, therefore fall plant- 

 ing is preferred by most growers. 



The distance to plant the bush fruit is determined by 

 the method of cultivation. In most cases the plants are 

 set 4 feet apart in the rows and the rows 6 feet apart. These 

 distances permit of horse cultivation and during the first 

 few years the plants can be cultivated in both directions. 

 As the plants grow larger they are cultivated only in one 

 direction. When the plants are set in the fruit garden 

 and where only a few are grown, they can be planted closer 

 together. The usual distance under these conditions is 

 4 feet apart each way. 



The plants can be either one or two years old when they 

 are set in their permanent places, but the two-year-old plants 

 are usually preferred. The plants that are propagated by 

 cuttings or by layers give the most satisfactory results for 

 a permanent patch. 



Pruning. — The currant and the gooseberry require similar 

 methods of pruning. They are much alike in their habits 

 of growth and the pruning of each plant is much the same. 

 Pruning should be done during the dormant period. 



When starting the young plant the first year it should 

 be pruned to a single whip containing six or seven good buds. 

 The second year select five or six good branches to form 

 the framework of the bush. Prune any irregular branches 

 back to make a uniform top. 



When the plant comes into bearing, less pruning is neces- 

 sary, but a certain amount should be given regularly every 

 year. The wood that is two or three years old produces the 

 greatest quantity and the most superior fruit. The older 

 branches produce fruit, but the quantity is less and the 

 quality is inferior. The aim, then, of the pruner should be 

 to remove all branches over three years of age, and to thin 

 out the bush in order to admit the sunlight and to permit 

 good circulation of air. Head in all those branches that 

 make a long or an irregular growth. 



Harvesting. — The bush fruits usually give a good harvest. 

 A strong, healthy currant plant should yield from three to 

 six pounds of high-grade fruit, and many plants greatly 



