140 CURRANTS. 



out. Where large fruit is coveted, nip off the growing 

 shoots in the middle of June, when the fruit is about half 

 grown, and the vigor of the plant spends itself on the grow- 

 ing fruit. Plants six or eight years old should be removed 

 for younger ones. 



The present splendid garden sorts of Currants come from 

 Holland, and the Red and White Dutch varieties have thrown 

 out of esteem the common garden sorts, wherever the first 

 can be obtained. 



BLACK CURRANTS (R. nigrum). 



The Black Naples is much superior to the common Eng- 

 lish Black Currant. It has the peculiarity of blossoming ear- 

 lier than the common kinds, while it produces its fruit later. 



ORNAMENTAL VARIETIES. 



The Missouri Currant (Ribes aureum), with yellow fra- 

 grant blossoms, is a well-known variety, and owes its pres- 

 ent cultivation to Captains Lewis and Clarke, who, in May, 

 1804, were sent by Congress to explore the regions of the 

 Rocky Mountains, and to discover the source of the Oregon 

 River. It has a variety called the Large-Fruited Missouri 

 Currant. 



The Red Flowering Currant (R. sanguineum) bears 

 clusters of light-crimson blossoms in early spring. The flow- 

 ers are large and showy, but this Currant is not hardy enougli 

 to survive New England winters. It will not thrive north 

 of New York. It has several varieties which display white 

 and pale pink flpwers. 



Though I have spoken of the tree-training for this fruit, I 

 must not omit to remark that many excellent cultivators pre- 

 fer the bush form. Among others, we have the authority of 

 Mr. S. W. Cole (American Fruit Book) against tree-train- 

 ing, and my own experience coincides with his. 



