THE FERTILE CURRANT OF PALNAU. 



and very close, so as to cover the stem entirely. Notwithstanding their growing so close- 

 ly, they nevertheless, are perfectly developed. Each of the bunches, and there were one 

 hundred and fifty of them, being three inches in length, carrying ten to fifteen berries, so 

 that taking twelve for each as an average, gives one thousand eight hundred berries. These 

 berries were about one inch and a quarter in circumference; a few of them only, which 

 were placed towards the end of the bunches, not being more than an inch. They are cer- 

 tainly not so large as the cherry currant, but they are much larger than the common kind. 

 The total weight of these currants was a pound and a half. The bush that bore this 

 blanch, although a young one, had at least a dozen branches equally loaded with fruit, 

 and some others which were also well covered, although not to the same extent. 



You can judge by this of the abundance of the crop, and how great the advantage would 

 be to adopt this variety in gardens, instead of the common sort. I am certain that I do 

 not over estimate the produce, at ten times greater than the ordinary kind. 



These currant trees are pruned in the vase or goblet shape, upon which a certain quan- 

 tity of permanent, or " mother" branches are left, at equal distances. Upon these per- 

 manent branches, secondary ones are thrown out, the increase of which is encouraged by 

 pinching oflf the ends of those first produced, so as to have the secondary branches at dis- 

 tances of three or four inches apart on the permanent stenu These secondary branches 

 are all stopped at the length of one and a half or two inches. From the base of these last 

 named, other branches will grow out, which are treated in the same manner. At the in- 

 tersection of all these ramifications, a considerable quantity of buds will be formed, which 

 will not fail to flower, and to produce immense quantities of fruit. Each one of the small 

 branches is only preserved three years, after which they are cut back to the place from 

 whence they started. This process, at once simple as it is natural, adds still more to the 

 natural fertility of this variety. 



I regret that the distance that separates us, does not permit me to send you one of these 

 branches loaded with fruit. I should have been very happy to let you see all the extra- 

 ordinary merits of this remarkable species. 



Wishing, nevertheless, to give you an idea of it, I send to the Pomological Congress at 

 Philadelphia, a drawing of one of these branches, which I have had painted. I have also 

 added drawings of some other different new fruits, that I wish to make known in Ame- 

 rica. Baptiste Desportes. 



Ansers, France, July ]3, 1652. 



TnK Results of Manure on a Pear Tree. — Tn a late number of Moore's New- 

 Yorker, Linus Cone, of Oakland Co., Michigan, informs us of an interesting experiment 

 with high manuring. Twenty-five years ago, he planted a Summer Bonchretien pear tree, 

 the culture of which, after a few years, was neglected. The fruit at first was fine, speci- 

 mens often weighing nearly a pound each, but afterwards grew gradually smaller, till 

 nearly worthless. The tree was then well pruned, washed with lye, and the ground well 

 spaded, with no improvement. Last spring twenty bushels of manure from a blacksmith 

 shop, consisting of dung, parings of hoofs, cinders, &c., was spread and dug in. Twenty 

 bushels of fine, high flavored fruit, was the result, the same season. 



