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CHAPTER XXIX. 



On the Currant tree. 



The treatment of the Currant tree is the 

 same as that directed for the Gooseberry, 

 with the exception of pruning. In pruning 

 the Currant tree, always endeavour to keep 

 a plentiful supply of young vigorous wood, 

 as the fruit is much finer when produced 

 from such, than from short spurs. In order 

 to obtain suitable wood it is necessary to cut 

 out a certain quantity of the old w r ood every 

 year, and with the exception of the main 

 limbs, let no wood be retained that is more 

 than four year's old. The main limbs of the 

 tree must always be disposed at a proper dis- 

 tance from each other so that the bearing 

 wood may not be crowded. The shoots re- 

 tained must be left about four inches apart, 

 and their ends be cut off, strong vigor- 

 ous shoots must have about three inches cut 

 off the end, and less vigorous ones in pro- 

 portion. Always use a knife for pruning the 

 trees, and not a pair of garden shears as is 

 generally practised. 



