CURCUMA 



curious subjects are almost unknown in American con- 

 servatories, but with the spread of private greenhouses 

 in America they will surely be grown, at least in some 

 of the finer fanciers' collections. The following cultural 



CURRANT 



415 



points are taken from B. M. 4435, where it is said that 

 these plants are of ornamental appearance, even when 

 not in flower. In spring the tubers should be deprived 

 of last year's mold and repotted in a fresh mixture of 

 light loam, leaf-mold and tui-fy peat, the pots being well 

 drained, and placed in a warm pit or frame in bottom 

 heat. Water should be given sparingly until after the 

 plant has made some growth. The young roots are soft 

 and succulent, and are likely to rot if the soil remains 

 wet for a long time. After flowering, the leaves soon show 

 signs of decay, and water should be gradually with- 

 drawn. During the resting period the soil should not 

 be allowed to get dust-dry. or the tubers are likely to 

 shrivel. The plants are propagated by dividing the 

 tubers in spring. The flowers of Curcuma are large and 

 gaping, hooded above, and with a 3-toothed lower lip. 

 In the throat are seen 2 teeth, which are the tips of the 

 anthers. Curcumas are essen- 

 tially tropical plants, and the 

 great difficulty is said to be to 

 maintain sufftcient heat while al- 

 lowing them enough air. 



cordata, Wall. Lvs. 1 ft. long, 

 sheathing, ovate-cordate, acumi- 

 nate, the same color on both sides, -■ ; 

 obliquely penninerved : bracts in ^^ 

 a cylindical spike, the upper jC 

 part forming a sterile portion 

 called a coma, which is a rich 

 violet, with a large blood-colored 

 spot : fls. yellow, with a pink 

 hood. Burma. B. M. 4435. -This 

 is now referred to C. petiolata, 

 Koxb., but B. M. 5821 seems at 

 least horticulturally distinct, with 

 its rose-pink bracts. 



C. albiflbra. Thwaites, differs from 

 the others here described in ha\'ing its 

 spikes sunk below the lvs., instead of 



standing high above the lvs.. and all the hr,aets have fls., while 

 the others have a sterile portion of the spike which is brightly 

 colored. In this species the spike is sliort and green and 

 the fls. .ire prominent imrt white. Ceylon. B.M.5909.— C.^ws(ra- 

 ?rts/fa,Ibii.k. f.. h:is itsupiK'r I.r.'c'ts soft, rosy pink and the tls. 

 pale yell. .w. Australi.i. H, .\l. r.ii'iil- C. /tacocdjm. Wall., has 

 a long anil sjiJhihUiI spikf, witli Inarts gradually changing from 

 green to the vividest scarlet -oriiiige: fls. pale yellow. Burma. 

 B.M. 4667.— C. Zedodria. Roxb., has the upper bracts white, 

 tinged with carmine, and handsomely-variegated lvs., which, 

 with the green of the lower bracts and the yellow of the flow- 

 ers, makes a striking picture of exotic splendor. Himalayas. 

 B.M. 1546. W. M. 



CUBIiED LEAVES are often caused by aphids or 

 [ilant lice. For remedies, see Spraj/ing. The leaf-curl 

 of the peach is a fungous disease. See Diseases. 



CTJRMfiEIA. All referred to Bomalomena. 



CDKKANT. Four species of Currant are known to 

 .\merican gardeners as fruit-bearing plants. Bihes 

 luliriim (Fig. 610) includes all the red and white varie- 

 ties. This species is found wild both in Europe and 

 North America. Bibes nigrum (Fig. Gil ), the European 

 black Currant, although well known in .Vimrica, has 

 never become generally popular. althou:;li ii i^ iiiuch 

 prized by the foreign population. Jiih.s A i,i, ii^imtim 

 (Fig. 612), more commonly known as liihca flvridum, is 

 the wild black Currant of America. It is very similar in 

 character to the European black Currant, and is now 

 and then transferred to gardens. Bibes aureum (Fig. 

 613). oftener grown for ornament, has also been planted 

 for fruit, having been sold from time to time under 

 various varietal names, the most recent being the Cran- 

 dall. See Bibes. To the commercial fruit-grower only 

 the first of these species is of great irhportance. It is a 

 native of cool climates, and its profitable culture is con- 

 fined to northern latitudes. It does not thrive in the Gulf 

 states and, except under irrigation or in specially favor- 

 able locations, makes but a partial success in the drier 

 region of the Plains. 



Both experience and the natural habitat of the plant 

 indicate that a cool, moist soil is best adapted to its 

 growth. Strong, moist loams, with a considerable ad- 

 mixture of clay, are preferable. Even a stiti clay, well 

 drained and in good tilth, will give good results. In 

 small supply for the home garden, it may be grown in 

 almost any soil. A cool northern exposure or partial 

 shade is always desirable, and the more unfavorable the 

 soil, or the more nearly does tlie 1. .cation approach the 

 southern range of adaptation, tin- more important does 

 this become. For this reason western growers often find 

 the best results to come from planting in orchards, and 



611. Black Currant-Ribcs nigrum 



