

266 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



on a hardy, native stock, has been found to give a choice 

 fruit, in great abundance, and with more certainty than could 

 be secured by an entire exotic. Of the European, the vari- 

 eties of Chasselas, Black Hamburgh, and White Muscat of 

 Alexandria, are the best. In a good grapery either with or 

 without artificial heat and proper attention, these can undoubt- 

 edly be raised at a price, which would yield to the horticulturist 

 an adequate return ; and for this purpose, they are the best 

 kinds to propagate, furnishing a long succession of fruit in its 

 finest variety. 



THE CURRANT 



Is the first in importance of the small garden fruits. In 

 the culinary department it has many valuable uses ; and it 

 is a wholesome and delicious fruit when ripe. It grows 

 with the greatest certainty and luxuriance, either from the 

 suckers or cuttings. The ground should be rich and well 

 worked, and the bushes set at least six feet apart. They 

 require plenty of sun and air like all other fruits. The red 

 is the most common kind, but the large Dutch White is 

 sweeter and more delicious, a great bearer, larger and as 

 easily cultivated. The English Black is very productive, of 

 great size, and makes a fine jelly. It has peculiar efficacy 

 in sickness. The usual mode of planting currants near 

 fences, is objectionable. They should stand out where the 

 gardener can get around them, and be properly trimmed, or 

 they soon get too thick. This improves the fruit, and insects 

 and vermin are more effectually prevented from harboring 

 among the bushes. 



THE GOOSEBERRY. 



This makes a palatable tart, and as a ripe fruit, possesses 

 some excellence. It is easily raised, and prefers a cool, 

 moist and rich soil in a sheltered position. It has beer 

 brought to the highest perfection in the north of England 

 and Scotland, under the influence of their cool weather and 

 interminable fogs and rains. It has long been cultivated in 

 America, but with little success ; for though frequently 

 abundant, the flavor is indifferent in comparison with Amer- 

 ican fruits generally. For those who design to cultivate 

 them, the nursery catalogues are a sufficient reference. As 

 a tart, they are inferior to the rhubarb or pie-plant, which 

 can be grown with little trouble or expense, in great profu- 

 sion in evejry fertile and well-tilled garden ; and this is in 



