27 



more general planting in this country for the milder districts as it has been found 

 tender in fruit bud at Ottawa. Its mild flavor and good quality make it an 

 excellent sort where a table fruit is desirable. 



The Red Victoria is one of our best currants for all round parposes. It com- 

 bines long, well-filled bunches of good-sized fruit of medium quality with hardiness 

 and productiveness. It will succeed well where Cherry, Fay and Wilder would 

 be tender. 



The Red Cross is one of our newer varieties. It is becoming popular for market 

 and home^ use on account of the large size of the fruit and its productive habits. 

 An objection to it is that the bunches are of only small to medium size. 



Perfection and Greenfield are comparatively little known, though they are 

 two very promising varieties. The Perfection is a strong grower, though reported 

 to be rather slowgrowing when young. It is a very productive variety bearing ex- 

 ceedingly bright, attractive-looking fruit of very large size in well-filled clusters. 

 It should prove a very desirable and profitable variety for home and market pur- 

 poses. The Greenfield, originated by S. Greenfield, Ottawa East, Ont., is described 

 by Mr. Macoun as being a productive variety of very large fruit, well-filled bunches, 

 quality above medium. Mr. Macoun, in recommending it, says: "I do not know 

 whether it could be obtained in the trade, but we could supply cuttings to anyone 

 who might write for them." 



The Prince Albert, a late variety, bearing fruit of medium size in long, well- 

 filled bunches, should perhaps be included in the above recommended list. It is a 

 good late variety and would be found useful in lengthening out the season. 



White Currants.— Except for home use, the planting of white currants is 

 not to be recommended, as there is practically no demand for them on the market 

 at the present time. The White Grape variety will be found excellent for home 

 use, being mild and of ver^' good quality. For eating out of hand it is one of the 

 most desirable varieties, whether red or white. 



Black Currants.— Black Victoria, Champion, Lee, Boskoop Giant, Saunders 

 and Naples are the usually recommended varieties. Mr. W. T. Macoun considers 

 that five varieties, Kerry, Clipper, Eclipse, Climax and Collin's Prolific which have 

 been under observation at the Central Experimental Farm are equal to or better 

 than the varieties generally planted throughout the Province. The first four of 

 these were originated by Dr. William Saunders from seedlings which he took from 

 London, Ont., to the Central Experimental Farm at Ottawa in 1887. 



Mr. L. B. Henry, in discussing the varieties of black currants before 

 the 1913 Fruit Growers' Association Convention spoke as follows: "As regards 

 black currants, I only grow one variety, having found it to be the best with us, that 

 is the Blach Naples. It is a strong and vigorous grower and is very^ prolific. The 

 buds are borne on short clusters and very well distributed over the bush. 



" The Champion is not so vigorous. It comes in about five days to a week 

 later than Naples and this may be a point in its favor, as it can be planted along 

 with the Naples and will make a yield that will surprise you. But we have found 

 one fault with it — the fruit does not ripen evenly : that is to say, the fruit may be 

 ripe on some parts of the bush and partly green on the other sections and for that 

 reason it requires more time to pick the fruit properly. 



" The Victoria is another black currant which is very well known. It is very 

 vigorous, perhaps more so than any other variety I have mentioned, but in our 

 district it is not as heavy a cropper as Naples or Champion. I have no doubt some 

 of you will think that is wrong, because I have hcnrrl that Victoria in some 

 districts is one of the best currants there." 



