Material and apparatus. Small patch of currants and gooseberries; pruning-knife and pruning-shears.

The currant and the gooseberry are two of the most important of the bush fruits. The method of pruning these fruits is different from that used for tree fruits. After some practice in the field discuss the best ways in which the bush fruits are pruned. What wood should be removed each year? Should the plants be severely headed back, or thinned out by the removal of the older canes? Is it wise to keep approximately a definite number of canes in each clump? Discuss.

References

Bailey, "The Pruning Book," pp. 327-333.

Bulletin No. 357, New York Agricultural Experiment Station.