154 THE FLORIST. 



There are many fancy ways of growing Currants, and some form 

 very pleasing objects in small gardens, such as high standards, 

 pyramidal, and the goblet form ; the latter, perhaps, is the best. A 

 small hoop is placed inside the branches, which should be six or eight 

 in number, and tied to the hoop at top, as represented in the accom- 

 panying woodcut. As the tree grows up- 

 wards, the hoop must be moved to the top, 

 and tied as before ; spur the side shoots 

 as before recommended. There are many 

 varieties of Currants, but the common 

 sorts are scarcely worthy of cultivation, 

 compared with the large kinds of later date, 

 such as the Gloucester or Wilmot's Red, 

 and the Cherry Currants, which are the 

 largest ; to these add the red and white 

 Dutch, which are best for b'ush culture. The 

 red Grape, Warner's Grape and Raby 

 Castle, are nearly identical, and all are good 

 kinds, especially for growing against north 

 walls for late use ; the bunches are very long, and will hang on the 

 trees a long time without shrivelling. The white Grape is also a good 

 variety for walls. 



The black Currant is a useful fruit, and distinct from other kinds, 

 both in the fruit and habit of the tree. It delights in a cool moist 

 situation and light soil, and requires different treatment to other kinds. 

 The finest fruit is always produced upon the young shoots ; therefore, 

 it is best to maintain a vigorous growth in the trees, by liberal 

 dressings of manure in a liquid state, applied in the summer time, 

 when the trees are growing. In pruning (which may be done any 

 time between November and March) remove annually all the old wood 

 that can be replaced by young shoots, which should be left entire for 

 fruiting, and moderately thin. It is best not to encourage a single 

 stem in young trees, as is done with the red and white Currants, 

 for they are very liable to die off; but allow the trees to form a stool 

 with many suckers springing from the root ; this plan offers every 

 facility of replacing the old wood with vigorous young shoots. The 

 Black Naples and Black Grape are the largest and best kinds to culti- 

 vate. The Bronze Currant possesses the same properties as the Black, 

 but the fruit is a dull brownish colour, and only worth a place as a 

 variety, 



(To be continued.) 



CULTURE OF ACHIMENES. 



Few plants are more beautiful than these, or better repay careful 

 attention and management. In order to obtain fine bushy specimens, 

 the following treatment has been found useful : — A box or cutting-pan 

 is prepared by filling three parts of it with a compost of equal parts of 

 loam and leaf-mould, on which the roots are laid, and covered two 



