THE FERTILE CURRANT OF PALNAU 



with Crocus or Snowdrops, or some low growing plants in the foreground. It is not ne- 

 cessary to lift the bulbs every 3'ear, but once in three 3'ears they will require it, to sepa- 

 rate the offsets. "With regard to soil, they will thrive very well in any tolerably good gar- 

 den ground; the richer it is, the larger and more numerous will be the flowers, and they 

 will form a most interesting contrast to the Hyacinths, which should be planted alternate- 

 I3' w ilh them. The effect thus produced is more pleasing to the eye, than when they are 

 placed separately in beds, as is sometimes done. 



When out of bloom, (if grown in pots) the bulbs should be turned out, and planted in 

 the garden in a newl}' dug piece of ground, placing them a foot apart every way; and in 

 a situation where the}' get but little sun; and if well watered, dail}'. for two or three 

 weeks, until the ends of the leaves begin to turn yellow, (from which time no more water 

 must be given,) they will bloom again the following year. They should be taken up in 

 the end of July, and then dried in the sun, with a sheet of paper or cloth thrown over 

 them to prevent their drying too rapidly. I have grown the same bulbs with very tolera- 

 ble success for several successive years. 



THE FERTILE CURRANT OF PALNAU, 



BY BAPTISTE DESPORTES, ANGERS, FRANCE. 



It is generally known that France is the country, where, thanks to the climate and the 

 nature of her soil, fruit attains the highest degree of perfection; and where, for the same 

 reason, the study of them has become both easy and attractive. And in this country thus 

 favored by nature, some cities, amongst which I mention two. Tours and Angers, have 

 distinguished themselves particularly, by their superior culture of them. In the first 

 named city, our respected friend, Dr. Bretonneau, who is equally eminent for his stu- 

 dies of plants as of natural history, has raised from seed, some 3-ears ago, a new variety 

 of currants, to which he has given the name of " Groseillier fertile de Palnau" — Palnau 

 being the name of his garden in which this variety has been raised. 



This currant tree, having been introduced into the garden of Mr. Andre Lerot, has 

 been there rapidly propagated, with a success proportioned to its merits, and it can now 

 be distributed in great quantities to agriculturists. This " Fertile Currant of Palnau," 

 was raised from the natural seed of the common currant. The distinguishing type of it 

 is its early flowering, and in particular, the enormous abundance of its clusters. The dis- 

 position of its branches is also different; they are generally less spreading, and much lar- 

 ger than the ordinary currant. The leaves are slightly whitish, with deep lobes obtusely 

 indented. The petioles are hairy at the base. The fruit is red, and, as in all currants, 

 slightl}"^ acid — but less so than the common species; its perfume and flavor render it very 

 agreeable as a dessert fruit. For jellies, syrups, and preserves, it yields to none of the 

 most esteemed varieties. It has the advantage of keeping well on the bush until the first 

 frosts of the season, without its being necessar}' to cover it. 



I will now give 3'ou a description of a branch taken from one of a number of specimens 

 of this currant, in the garden of Dr. Bretonneau, which will, much better than any- 

 thing I can say, give an exact idea of the fertility and product of this valuable acquisi- 

 tion. 



The currants occupy on the branch, a length of sixteen inches. They hang vertically. 



