varieties alone, but of the old sorts that have been the occupants of our gardens 

 in some form or other for a hundred years or more. 



Tliis at first sight appears strange, but it can very readily be accounted for. 



The population of this country has increased, of late years, at an amazing rate, 

 and almost every man who is possessed of a piece of land, whether it be a small 

 plot in the village, or a thousand acres in the far West, plants a few currant 

 bushes. 



"Whether he plants other fruit trees or not, he is sure to plant currants. They 

 thrive everywhere, and yield fruit under any sort of treatment. Above all, they 

 bear soon, and this, especially in a new country destitute of fruits, is of no small 

 importance. 



In many parts of this country, loine is made from the currant to a very con- 

 siderable extent. A gentleman in Wisconsin wrote us lately, that he had sold 

 some to the druggists at $4 per gallon, and could sell a large quantity at that 

 price. lie is about making an extensive plantation for this purpose, and he 

 should do so if he can get $4 per gallon for the wine, or even half that sum. The 

 best currant wine we have ever tasted, indeed we may say the only sample deserv- 

 ing the name of wine, was made, last season, from the White Grape variety, the 

 subject of this notice. It was made thus : to every gallon of clear drained juice 

 was added two gallons of soft water, and 9 lbs. of extra refined loaf-sugar, making 

 three gallons of wine. Nearly all the currant wine we have tasted, has been 

 spoiled with alcohol being added in some form or other. 



The currant is a fruit for the North, and we are perfectly satisfied that where 

 the Grape cannot be grown for wine, the Currant may become an excellent 

 substitute. This will apply to a very large tract of the Northern United States. 



The introduction of improved varieties has given a great impetus to the culture 

 of the Currant in the old States. The Cherry in size, the Victoria in lateness, 

 arc great acquisitions. The White Grajye is by far the largest and finest White 

 Currant in existence. The bush is lower and more spreading than the White 

 Dutch,' with much darker foliage, easily distinguished. There is much confusion 

 among the White Currants ; both in this country and in England, the White Grape 

 and Dutch are confounded. 



What we want above all things. In the Currant, is size, an important requisite 

 in all the small fruits, on account of the expense of gathering. 



We have said that the Currant yields fruit under any sort of treatment, and 

 this is true, but no other fruit is more sensible of kindness, or less difficult to 

 spoil by it. To have large crops, large bunches, and large fruit, we must manure 

 highly, and give the shoots and branches a regular thinning and shortening in 

 the autumn or winter of every year. 



