60 DESCRIPTIVE LIST OP CURRANTS. 



along the bottom of the trellis, perhaps half a foot from the 

 surface of the earth, and the growth from these, or of all up- 

 right shoots, which will admit of being arranged at the distance 

 of five or six inches from each other, is encouraged. Fan 

 standards are sometimes trained with the branches radiating 

 from the crown of the stem. 



The black Currant, or Ribes nigrum, is common in moist 

 woods in Russia and Siberia ; its culture is similar to that 

 of the red, but as it is less apt to bear in spurs than on 

 young wood, the shoots should not be so much shortened in 

 this as in the other. 



Currant bushes will require to be planted at different dis- 

 tances, according to the situation and mode of training, &c. 

 When planted in beds, borders, or squares, they should be 

 six feet apart, but if trained as espaliers, they will require 

 to be eight feet apart. 



Many people dislike the flavour of black Currants ; they 

 are, therefore, not much used in the kitchen or dessert, and 

 seldom in wine making. They make a jelley or jam, in 

 estimation as a gargle for inflammatory sore throats. " In 

 Russia and Siberia, wine is made of the berries alone, or 

 fermented with honey, and with or or without spirits. In 

 Siberia they make a drink of the leaves ; these tincture 

 common spirits so as to resemble brandy, and a few of them 

 dried and mixed with black tea, answer all the purposes of 

 the green material." (London.) 



All kinds of Currants may be forced by placing them in 

 any forcing department in January or February ; they will 

 produce ripe fruit in April and May. 



SELECT DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF CURRANTS 



BLACK ENGLISH, Common Black. This species is most generally culti- 

 vated in private gardens for medicinal purposes ; the berries are plentiful, 

 of large size, and frequently hang on the bush two months, improving in 

 flavour. 



