“My small fruit garden,” writes Mrs. Zacheus McAllister of Maine, “is about 195 feet long north and south by 115 feet wide, with a portion in the northwest corner 33 by 75 feet, taken up by a hen-house, also four rows of red raspberries 140 feet long and three rows of blackberries 75 feet long.
” A part of the first row at the extreme north border is taken up by currants, set under and between plum and pear trees, all set before my coming to the farm nearly 20 years ago. The white currants were bought of a nursery agent, while the red are of more ancient origin. They bore freely for a few years, but the worms troubled them badly, and they were unprofitable for a few years until we sprayed with paris green, and now have little trouble with the worms, as so few mature. After several years I obtained as a premium to a magazine three Fay’s Prolific currants, which bore their first fruit ten years ago. They were so large and nice that I began rooting some by laying down the branches in the early part of the season and trans-planting the following year 3 feet apart in the row and rows 4 feet apart. I have never tried rooting from cuttings.
” Ten years ago I set 12 purple gooseberries, from which new ones were rooted in the same manner as the currants, until three rows 36 feet long were obtained. These have borne every year since. Three years later I procured from a nursery agent 25 plants each of the Loudon and the Marlboro raspberries, which were set 2 feet apart in two rows each of each variety, the rows 4 feet apart. Being set in the fall they winterkilled badly, but spaces were filled in spring, and the rows extended to 140 feet each, and have done exceedingly well. One season they bore over six bushels of fruit, or bushels to each 140 feet of row. The Loudons come on a week or ten days earlier than the Marlboro. The first were picked July 22 and the last August 19.
One spring I set six grape vines, Green Mountain, Moyer, Brighton, Campbell’s Early, Early Ohio, and Moore’s Diamond. When four years old they began to bear plentifully. These, in addition to other vines on the farm, make a nice variety for jellies and for eating.
” Two years ago I set out 5o Red Cross currant bushes, two years old. They all lived and grew beautifully. They have made a good growth for next season’s bearing. This variety is very sweet, and is used upon the table very freely, after being stemmed, rinsed in cold water, and sprinkled plentifully with sugar. The Fay’s Prolific and native red are used more for jellies. The first currants were picked July 15 and the last August 1, over five bushels in all. I trim the bushes as soon as possible after the fruit is gathered and tie the canes before snow falls, to prevent their breaking down and to facilitate the putting on of the dressing.
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