202 Cultivation of the Currant, Sfc. 



commenced The Fruits of America, and shall leave its read- 

 ers to judge how much we have contributed to attain the end 

 in view. We trust Mr. Ernst's remarks will call out the opin- 

 ions of those who have the Dyer apple under cultivation ; our 

 own trees being yet too young to show their true habit ; and 

 one great object will be attained if the identity of the Cooper 

 can be settled before it is spread throughout the country, as it 

 is likely to be from its excellence. — Ed. 



Art. V. The Currant, its Cultivation, 6^c. By J. H. Watts, 

 Rochester, New York. 



An excellent article upon the Grape, and its culture in 

 America, appeared in the Albany Horticulturist, page 397, 

 from the pen of W. R. Prince, Esq., in which he showed 

 the importance attached to that fine fruit, not only as a des- 

 sert, but its use when manufactured into wine. As a pro- 

 moter of temperance, there can be no doubt but the grape 

 and currant can be made powerful auxiliaries in that impor- 

 tant cause. Some substitute for strong drinks is needed, and 

 a harmless and pleasant beverage can be made from both, 

 which our temperance friends would not forbid. 



Of the currant, I now wish to speak. It is so common a 

 fruit, that almost all who have a garden cultivate it. 



The large red Dutch bushes are preferable, being such 

 abundant bearers, and I know of no more useful ornament on 

 the borders of a garden than well shaped currant bushes. — 

 Trimmed as the English do them, they become an upright 

 tree, which keeps the fruit from the ground, and gives the 

 sun and air a good chance upon them. 



Their early blossoming gives food to swarms of bees, and 

 their hum amongst the bushes is their rejoicing that spring 

 has again come. 



1 have grown large quantities of the red currant, and, after 

 a bountiful use of them on the table, my family tried the ex- 

 periment of making wine, in the year 1844, at which time we 

 made 18 gallons. Having had such good success, in 1846 we 



