EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 269 



and cheaply than the tree can be sprayed. But if the trees are to be 

 sprayed for the codlin-nioth or the canker-worm, the same application will 

 serve to destroy the tent-caterpillar. 



John Henky Comstock. 



THE CRANDALL CURRANT. 



The Crandall currant was introduced but a couple of years ago, yet it 

 has attracted general notice from the fact that it represents a species 

 practically new to the fruit garden. The originator supposed it to be a 

 hybrid between the Buffalo or Missouri currant and the common red cur- 

 rant. 



Fifty plants were set upon the experiment station grounds in the spring 

 of 1888. The plants have grown vigorously and all bore fruit last season. 

 Plants have been observed in other places, also, and full notes and careful 

 tests have been made. 



The Crandall is a simple variation of the Buffalo or Missouri currant 

 (Ribes aureum), known in yards as the "flowering currant." It gives no 

 indication of hybridity. The species is well known to be a variable one, 

 and bushes occassionally appear which produce edible and attractive fruits. 

 It does does not appear to be a well "fixed" variety. Some of our bushes 

 produce berries little larger than those of the red currant, while others give 

 fruits five eighths of an inch in diameter. It is also variable in period of 

 ripening on our plants, although the soil is uniform throughout the row. 



Our bushes were fairly productive, but a heavy crop could not be expec- 

 ted from young plants. Bearing canes and photographs from Frank Ford 

 & Son, the introducers, show remarkable productiveness. The habits of 

 the plant indicate probable high productiveness. 



The plant is hardy and vigorous and so far our specimens have been free 

 from insect attacks, although the currant worm was very abundant upon 

 adjacent rows of common sorts. The bushes attain to a large size, and 

 need more room than other currants. 



The fruits are large and fair, bluish-black, and polished. _ They separate 

 from the stem and are therefore picked and sold singly, like gooseberries 

 and cherries. The flavor is sweet and agreeable, though not pronounced. 

 There is none of the grossness of flavor characteristic of common black 

 currants. It makes good stews, pies, and jellies, whether used green or 

 ripe. In jelly we prefer it to other currants. 



The variety is wholly distinct from every other. It represents a new 

 type of small fruit, which, when further selected and improved, must come 

 to be a staple. 



INFLUENCE OF SOIL UPON PEAS. 



It is well known that peas are quickly influenced by certain soils. The 

 fact was incidentally well illustrated in our garden the past season in a 

 planting of the Golden Gem. The rows began in a good rich loam and 

 ran into a stiff and strong clay. A good sod had been turned under a few 

 days before the peas were sown. The ends of the rows were so dissimilar 

 at picking time that they appeared to be planted with different varieties. 

 Twelve average plants were selected from each end of the patch, and they 

 gave the following data : 



Plants on loam. — Average height of plant, 18 inches ; average number 



