may be reduced to an
insignificant percentage, and these mostly from accidents and causes
unforseen, for bees respond wonderfully to proper treatment.

The Currant as a Market Garden Product.

B. WALLNER, JR., WEST ST. PAUL.

The currant is essentially a northern fruit, therefore does well in
Minnesota.

I plant my currants on a clay loam as it retains moisture and coolness,
which the currant prefers. Their roots run somewhat shallow, and hence
sandy or friable soils are not desirable. Soils such as will prevent a
stagnant condition during heavy rainfalls are essential. I plant my
currants early in spring as soon as the frost leaves the ground and a
proper preparation can be secured. I plant them five by five feet apart,
as they require a thorough cultivation the first two years from
planting.

I plant mangels between the rows the first year; second year continued
cultivation is practiced; third year I apply a mulch consisting of
mushroom manure to a depth of from four to six inches, which answers a
double purpose, to keep out weeds and to act as mulch at the same time.
During a prolonged dry spell the soil is moist under this covering, and
it makes it more pleasant for the picking, as it prevents the berries
getting soiled after a rain during the picking season. You cannot
fertilize the currant too abundantly, as it is a gross feeder and
requires plenty of manure to get best results, as such fruit commands
the best price on the market.

I planted my currants on ground previously well fertilized with well
decayed barnyard manure.

I prefer strong well rooted two-year-old plants. The long straggling
roots are shortened, and bruised portions cut off with a sharp knife.
The tops are somewhat reduced, depending on the size of plants. I set
them in a furrow, sufficiently deep to admit the roots to spread out in
a natural position, fill in with surface soil and pack around the roots,
so that when the earth is firmly settled the roots will not protrude out
any place.

In regard to pruning I find the best and largest fruit is produced on
canes not over four years old, and if judicious cutting out of the old
canes is followed nice, large, full clusters of fruit of excellent
character will be obtained. This is a fact that I want to emphasize: if
the market is glutted with currants, you can readily dispose of your
product, providing they are qualified as extra large, which results can
be attained by following th