18 
PRUNING. 
PRUNING THE GOOSEBERRY AND CURRANT 
IN SUMMER. 
The advantages derivable from a proper thinning of the new 
shoots on wall fruit-trees, are manifest and well understood; by 
these means we are enabled to increase and direct the power of 
the vital action of the trees in a manner most conducive to the 
production of fine, well-flavoured fruit. Why then should not 
a similar degree of excellence be imparted by extending the sys¬ 
tem to other kinds of fruit ? The currant and gooseberry will be 
found most grateful recipients of a like attention, for under this 
treatment their berries are wonderfully increased in size, are 
earlier in perfection, and have a superior delicacy of flavour. 
Let me then advise all who esteem them to try it for themselves 
in the course of the ensuing summer, and state the result; the 
little trouble occasioned cannot be taken into account, as it is so 
much saved in the winter’s pruning. 
The method I would recommend for currants, is to begin thin¬ 
ning as soon as the bearing branches can be distinguished; at 
that time stop back all the shoots that do not promise to have 
fruit, to within a couple of buds of their origin; these will pro¬ 
duce in the course of the summer from the eyes that are left, 
short spurs, always valued for their prolific character ; this first 
thinning will afford a good supply of air and light to the bearing 
shoots, and enable them to set and swell off their berries in much 
less time than would be required if left to themselves in the usual 
manner: then about the time the fruit is half-grown, pinch out 
the points of the remaining growths, and clear away all small 
wood and leaves that may intercept the rays of the sun or air, 
and the fruit will be found to increase daily to an amazing extent. 
Gooseberries will require to have all superfluous shoots taken 
completely out, instead of being stopped as is recommended for 
the currant, and with a judicious selection of the berries to be 
gathered in a green state, will be vastly improved without further 
trouble. R. Tovey. 
