420 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



their full length, only removing shoots in the centre to let in the 

 sun and air. Red and White Currants bear chiefly on the old 

 wood ; Black Currants on the new (i.e., last year's) growth. 



Note on Manuring. 



It is a mistake to give young trees heavy dressings of manure, 

 as the ordinary soil of gardens is rich enough. For the first 

 few years aim at laying the foundation of a good tree ; keep the 

 boughs rather thin, i.e., well apart, not crowded, but fully ex- 

 posed to sun and air, so as to ripen the wood, and thus form a 

 sturdy basis for future good crops. Some kinds will bear the 

 second year, and may then be assisted by manure laid on the 

 surface after the fruit is well set, or by waterings of liquid 

 manure, or soapy water, &c, in summer ; but fruit trees, young 

 or old, if they are growing and healthy, should only have manure 

 applied when they are bearing a crop, so as to enable them to 

 bring this year's fruit to perfection, and at the same time form 

 fresh blossom-buds for next year. 



