94 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



SMALL FRUITS. 



SEEDLING BLACK CURRANTS. 



The following seedling black currants have been under my observation during the 

 past seven years. They have been propagated in a small way, and have been tried in 

 different situations on the Central Farm. They have also been sent to the branch farms 

 and to some of the leading Canadian small fruit growers. 



After these trials I feel justified in expressing the opinion that they are worthy of 

 introduction. They, with 15 others, were selected in 1893, after four years' fruitage, out 

 of more than 100 seedlings which had been under test at the Central Farm since 1887. 

 Since that time they have maintained their individual points of excellence, and each one 

 described is, I believe, superior to any other named commercial variety of the same season. 

 They were originated as follows : — 



About the year 1879 a considerable number of seedling black currants were grown 

 in London, Ont., by Dr. Wm. Saunders, the present Director of the Experimental Farms, 

 from extra large selected berries of the Black Naples. One of these seedlings produced 

 very large fruit of good quality, and the bush was productive. In 1884 several hundred 

 seedlings were raised from large berries of this seedling, then known as Saunders' 

 Seedling, but subsequently lost. When Dr. Saunders removed to Ottawa in 1887 to 

 organize the system of experimental farms in Canada he brought with him from his 

 experimental gardens in London about 150 of the most promising of these seedlings. By 

 discarding from year to year all those of less promise they have been gradually reduced 

 to the number stated. 



DESCRIPTION OP VARIETIES. 



Beauty. — Plant, a strong 

 uniform grower; berries, above 

 medium ; skin, thin, free from 

 astringoncy ; quality, good ; 

 bunches, large ; berries refuse 

 to separate easily from the 

 pedicel. In gathering, it is 

 best to pull the entire bunch, 

 rather than attempt to pick 

 the berries individually in the 

 ordinary way. Field Note. — 

 llipe, July 13, 1896. Still 

 holding to the bush, August 

 10, 1896. This year it ripen- 

 ed July 18, and was picked 

 August 3. 



Beauty. — Half natural size. 



