THE PEACTIOE OF PEUNING. 



393 



and three branches diverging from it, each of them shortened to about four 

 inches. Two shoots should be encouraged from each of these three, so that 

 in autumn the plant will have six shoots, 

 corresponding with the ultimate number of 

 branches necessary. All other shoots must be 

 spurred to within an inch of their bases. The 

 six shoots selected for leaders should be out 

 back so as to leave them from four to six inches 

 long ; and, like those of the former season, they 

 should be cut to buds pointing outwards. At 

 every future winter pruning the terminal shoots 

 of the six branches should be shortened to be- 

 tween four and six inches long, according to 

 their strength. When the branches nearly 

 attain the intended height, the terminals may 

 be shortened to two or three buds. With 

 regard to the lateral shoots, they must all be 

 cut to within an inch of the old wood at every 

 winter pruning. 



When Currants are intended to be trained 

 against a wall, they should be planted three 

 feet apart, and a strong shoot trained upright 

 for a stem. This should be shortened to six 

 inches, and the two uppermost shoots trained 

 horizontally right and left. From these, four 

 upright shoots sho\ild be trained, so that the 

 distance between them may be nine inches. 

 In order that these may not run up without ' 

 being sufB.eieniLy furnished with fruit-spurs, 

 they should be shortened to six inches, and 

 every year, at the winter pruning, the upright 

 terminal shoots of the branches should be 

 shortened according to their strength, shorter 

 if weak, and if strong they should not be left 

 longer than is consistent with their breaking 

 into spurs not more than six inches apart. The 

 laterals may have their points cut off annually 

 in June, and cut nearly close to the old wood 

 at every winter pruning. 



No fruit is more improved than the Currant, 

 by good pruning. When left to itself both 

 bunches and berries are small and worthless ; 

 it is only when carefully thinned, skilfully 



Kg. LXXXT.— Shoot of Currant. 



a, a, a, a, wood-buds. !>, b, fruit- 

 buds. Cy c, c, clusters termed fruit- 

 spurs ; they consist chiefly of fruit- 

 buds, but amongst them there are 



pruned, and annuaUy divested of old spurs, f^oSrarshTto'"""'^ "'''* 

 that the fruit acquires its proper excellence. 



