266 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
REPORT ON RED AND WHITE CURRANTS FRUITED 
AT CHISWICK. 
BY A,, F. BARRON, 
Gardener-in-chief to the Royal Horticultural Society. 
= HERE is, perhaps, no class of fruits in ordinary culti- 
vation in this country in which so much confusion exists 
in regard to their nomenclature or their distinctive 
merits as in that of Currants. Names exist in plentiful 
variety, but the fruits of all the kinds are very similar, 
so that it has been impossible to distinguish them. The varieties 
may vary to some extent as to the size of the bunches, berries, 
their colour, cropping qualities, ete; but as these are considerably 
affected by cultivation, situation, etc., their comparative and dis- 
tinctive merits can only be ascertained when all the varieties’ are 
grown together under the same conditions, as in the present 
instance. 
The collection, consisting of forty-five reputed distinct varieties, 
was got together from various quarters, and represents the most 
of the names to be met with in English nurseries and a few of the 
French. Altogether there exists about sixty distinct names as 
applied to the Red Currants, and about fifteen to the White, so 
that the remainder have to be collected and described. 
The classification is based chiefly on the appearance of the 
plants, their foliage, habit of growth, etc. This is very decided, 
distinct, and easily to be recognized. The typical names adopted 
may not in every instance be correct, but the varieties given as 
synonyms are all identical the one with the other as they have been 
received by the Society. There is no means of distinguishing any 
of the varieties by their fruit alone. 
REDS. 
1. Rep Durcu [syns., Fertile, Fertile d Angleterre, Fertile de 
Palluau, Fertile de Bertin, La Hédtive, Hétive de Bertin, Bertin 
No. 9, Belle de St. Gilles, Chenonceaux, Grosse Rouge de Boulogne, 
Queen Victoria, Red Grape|.—This is one of the best varieties in 
cultivation. A most abundant bearer, and ripening early. The 
bunches are long, and the berries large, full and juicy, and of a 
bright red colour. The plant is of a dwarf and somewhat slender 
habit of growth, never attaining a large size. The leaves broad 
and flat, deep green, having a sort of metallic glaucous hue, which 
renders it in appearance quite distinct. The synonyms here given 
are all referable to this one variety, ‘and which is the one generally 
grown aud known in this country as the Red Dutch. 
2. Kyicnr’s Lance Rep [syns. Knight’s Sweet Red, Goliath, 
Fielder’s Red, Palmer’s Late Red, Pitmaston Red, Pitmaston 
Prolific, Large Sweet Red, Bertin No. 1, Dancer’s Selected ].—This 
