SMALL BUSH FRUITS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 193, 15 August 1936, Page 6

SMALL BUSH FRUITS.

The pruning of these trees should now be finished, and when the operation is completed lightly fork over the ground and give a. mulching of manure. lied and white ciirrants should be pruned on the spur system, cutting back the side shoots to two or three buds, and allowing the leading growths 6in to Sin extension. Brandies occasionally decay, and where this has happened a new shoot should be retained to take its place. The pruning of black currants consists of thinning out the old wood, leaving the strong young growth of la6t season. Old neglected trees may be rejuvenated by cutting all the branches near the ground level. New shoots will spring up from the base and form the fruiting wood next year. Gooseberries should be well thinned to allow light and air to enter the centre of the bushes, and also to permit the fruit to be gathered with case. If possible the gooseberry should be grown on a single stem, about Sin in length, and, when pruning, low-lying branches must bo removed in their entirety.