568 



GROWING BUSH FRUITS 



Gooseberries often bear much more heavily on one-year-old 

 shoots than currants do, and as a result in some sections the 

 wood is removed after it is two years old, or after it has borne 

 one year from spurs. Many growers, however, follow the 

 pruning methods described for currants. 



3. Managing the Soil. Give frequent and shallow cultiva- 

 tion. The roots are usually close to the surface. Cultivate 

 more deeply the first year than later. The disk harrow on land 

 free from stones gives good results. The horse or grape hoe 

 will reduce hand work. 



Crops may be grown between the rows and between the 

 plants in the rows, if the situation is such as to make this a 

 profitable method. The question is whether the increase in 

 labor costs in handling the plantation will be more than offset 

 by the returns from the crops. Unless land is too valuable, it 

 is probable that such crops might better be grown on a separate 

 field. On the other hand, it is possible that the fruit will re- 

 ceive better care if such intercrops are used. Garden crops 

 require thorough cultivation and those for which there is a 

 market should be considered. 



After the first two years, the fruit plants will need the 

 space. Continue the frequent cultivations. Follow with a 

 cover or green manure crop of such nature as to work into the 

 soil readily, since deep plowing is out of the question. Buck- 

 wheat, soy beans, oats, barley, and sweet clover are among the 

 suitable crops. 



Mulching may be substituted for cultivation in growing on 

 a small scale. The mulch keeps the soil moist, which favors 

 development of the bushes. To be effective, it must be main- 

 tained from year to year. Mice frequently girdle the shoots. 

 This fact, in addition to the expense of the mulch, constitutes 

 the chief disadvantages in its use. 



Bush Fruits Usually Respond Well to Applications of 

 Manure. There is very little experimental evidence available 

 relative to the kinds or amounts of commercial fertilizer which 

 should be applied to currants and gooseberries. "Wherever 



