Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-03-21

TIE CULTIVATION OF CURRANfs.

A correspondent of the American Agri-
culturist says:
We were not aware, until recent visit to
Green's farms in Connecticut, that the cul-
tivation Of the currants filled so large .
place among the small fruits. Here it is
made specially by several of the fruit
growers, and is found to pay better than
any other of the small fruits. The varieties
relied upon for the main crop are the Yer
sailses and the Cherry. The plants are
grown from cuttings. These are taken
from the present years growth, cut into
pieces six inches long, and planted in drills
about sixteen inches apart and four inches
apart in the drill. The soil is made rich,
kept clean by frequent cultivation, and
these cuttings make strong roots and
throw up stem from one 10 two feet high
the first season. A part of the profit OF
the business lies in the sales of cuttings
and bushes, which are sold at the whole
sale, the cuttings at 50 per NJ. and the
plants at $50 per M. In making planta-
ton, the young plants are set in rows five
feet apart and four feet in row. The
plants are set in rich soil, and kept clean
by frequent cultivation through the entire
season. They are allowed to throw out
side shoots and to grow in the bush form.
They receive no trimming except the an
nual cutting back for the supply of wood
for the market. Some of the plantations
are made in the orchard. in line with the
trees and in rows between, and where the
ground is rich enough they bear quite a.
bundantly in the shade. A small crop is
looked for the third year. A full crop is
from one to two tons to the acre,
which brings three or four hundred dollars,
according to the state of the market. The
demand for the wood and plants among
nurserymen is SO lively, that these pay as
we'll as the fruit. The chief enemies are
the currant worm and borer. The worm
is easily destroyed by the timely applica-
, ton of white hellebore. No time is lost
in using this remedy when the enemy
makes its appearance. Carbolic soap is
also used with good results, and is much
cheaper remedy. About pound is dis
solved in five gallons of water, and the
liquid is applied by portable force pnmp.
Every worm is destroyed that the liquid
touches. The shoots in which the borer
makes appearance are Immediately cut a.
way. and these remedies keep the planta-
tions remarkably clean and thrifty. The
sales from three acres on one of the fruit
farms was five and half tons. at an aver
age price eI IL l-2 cents pound, net, or
$l375. They are packed in nice fruit box
es and sent to New York and Boston mar
kets. The fertilizers mostly relied upon
after the thorough preparation of the soil
are bone-dust, superphosphate OF
lime, and leached ashes. These are not
applied in very large quantities. Much de-
pendence is placed upon thorough culti-
walton and timely application of remedies
for insects. Some of these plantations
have been in bearing for ten years, and
apparently in as good condition as ever.
BY the removal OF old wood and the of fer
tilizers they may be indefinitely continued.
1t is found to be very much less trouble to
to take care Of currants than of strawber-
rieS; they are more easily picked, reach
marketi in good condition, and keep better.
The demand for them Is quite rapidly in
CT easing. 1t is a popular crop with the
growers and sugar dealers.