226 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



ABOUT CURRANTS. 



|HE marked development in recent years of the interest in currants 

 as a market fruit has naturally been accompanied by the intro- 

 duction of many new varieties and some old varieties under new 

 names. The newer candidates for favor include the Eclipse, 

 North Star, Red Cross and Wilder of the red kinds, and Marvin's 

 Seedling, Caywood's Seedling and White Versaillaise of the white 

 kinds, and several other sorts. None of these have been fruited 

 here long enough to determine their productiveness. 



North Star, introduced from Minnesota, makes a vigorous 

 upright or somewhat spreading growth. The color of the fruit is 

 much like that of the Red Dutch ; bunches medium length ; fruit probably large 

 under good cultivation, but varying from small to large. Red Cross, from seed 

 of Cherry fertilized by White Grape, was originated by the originator of Brighton 

 Grape. The fruit is medium to very large, milder flavored and lighter in color 

 and somewhat later in season than Cherry. Habit of bush, upright, vigorous. 

 Eclipse is a good grower and bears bunches from two and a-half to three inches 

 long. The fruit varies from small to large ; color good, somewhat lighter than 

 that of Fay ; flavor comparatively mild. Wilder, from seed of Versaillaise, 

 originated about eighteen years ago with Mr. E. Y. Teas, Irvington, Indiana. 

 It is a good grower, bearing fruit medium to very large, less uniform in size than 

 Fay, and somewhat lighter in color. It appears to be worthy of extended trial 

 as a late kind. 



Among the red currants that have been in full bearing at this station during 

 the last three years, Cherry has been one of the most desirable of the large- 

 fruited kinds. Fay yields longer bunches and more uniformly large fruit than 

 Cherry, but it does not make as satisfactory a bush, nor has it been as produc- 

 tive in this locality as the Cherry. Neither of these kinds will remain on the 

 bushes in good condition for shipping as late as will Victoria, Prince Albert or 

 Wilder. On account of its thin skin and abundance of fine-flavored juice. 

 Cherry is liked at fruit-preserving establishments for making into jam, but it is 

 necessary to evaporate away more of its juice in making jelly than it is with 

 some other varieties. Fay and Prince Albert are especially liked for making 

 into jelly, because of their large size, thin skin and rich pulp. 



Prince Albert is a vigorous grower, more upright even than Red Dutch 

 When well grown the fruit will pass for large. Of all the varieties in full bearing 

 here during the last three years it has given the highest average yield, and 

 London Red, also known as Short-bunched Red, has taken second place. The 

 London Red, like Cherry, has short clusters, with stem so short as to make it 

 difficult to pick. The fruit varies from medium to large and is similar to Red 

 Dutch in color and quality. One of the most valuable of the kinds that produce 



