CURRANT. ld 



red, acid, not rich, only second rate ; bunch variable, from 

 short to quite long, scarcely tapering, figure 87, and figure 

 88 showing the variations on the same plant ; leaves large, 

 deep green, bluntly lobed, thick and tough ; very distinct 

 from the Red Dutch and its varieties. Plant a coarse 

 grower, the young shoots being very strong and stocky 

 very productive, but the old branches becoming naked, 

 often produce two or three crops. The largest Red Cur- 

 rant in cultivation, and commands the highest price in 

 market. Some of the varieties placed as synonyms of 

 the Cherry were probably raised from seed, but as I have 

 not been able to discover wherein they differ, I think it 

 folly to call them by different names. 



Versailles, Very large; bunch, long, and slightly 

 tapering ; dark red, acid, and by many it is considered to 

 be a better flavored variety than the Cherry, but by others 

 very similar, if not identical. 



The principal points of distinction claimed are, that the 

 Versailles is not so acid as the Cherry, and that the bunches 

 are more tapering. But like variations may be observed in 

 other well known varieties, and upon plants growing in 

 close proximity. At one time, I thought that there was 

 a difference in the growth and foliage of the two kinds, 

 but more experience has not confirmed me in this opinion. 



Although I am not ready to say positively that there is 

 no distinct variety to which the name of Versailles be- 

 longs, still I have not as yet been able to obtain one in 

 which really distinct and permanent variations can be dis. 

 covered. 



Since writing the above, thirteen years ago, I have con- 

 tinued my investigation in regard to the identity of these 

 two varieties of the Currant, without making any dis 

 coveries which throw light upon the subject. I have 

 noticed, however, that several European authorities have 

 declared the Versailles to be identical with the Cherry, a 

 conclusion which I arrived at some fifteen years ago. 



