General Notices. 455 



bunches of grapes. The thing is by no means so ideal as it might at first 

 seem to be. Were the berries double the size of those of the largest of our 

 present varieties, and these, borne, as we now see them, occasionally, from 

 a dozen to a dozen and a half in a bunch, we should have a very respecta- 

 ble approach, if not to the clusters of Eschol, at least to the more ordinary 

 range of our cultivated grapes. Some of the varieties bear fruit which is 

 less acid, and less w^oody-tasted, than that of others : these qualities would, 

 of course, be required in the new and improved series. Then, again, cur- 

 rants are a fruit which it is often considered desirable to keep for some time 

 — some months indeed — on the trees. It would be worth attempting to 

 obtain varieties which would hang better than our present varieties do. On 

 the subject of improving the present varieties of currants, we have recently 

 met with some judicious remarks by Mr. Tomlinson, in the Midland Florist ; 

 and, as they bear directly on the subject before us, we will introduce them 

 here : — 



" I have for years been an extensive cultivator of currants, selling the 

 produce in the large town in my immediate neighborhood, and I find that, 

 though the red grape is a large and fleshy fruit, still it ripens unkindly, 

 which is a great drawback to its more extended cultivation. The old long- 

 bunched red is, with me, far preferable ; but I see no earthly reason why 

 this fruit might not be improved in a very great degree. Would it not be 

 possible to raise a ' currant show,' on the principle of the Lancashire goose- 

 berry shows? and if this could be carried out, and an inducement given to 

 raise fresh varieties from seed, I make no doubt that we should speedily 

 have currants double the present size, and much longer in the bunch ; and 

 I am sure that nothing would pay better than improved varieties of both 

 black and white, as well as red ones. The plant comes early into bearing, 

 and any improvement on the old sorts would speedily supersede them, as 

 the black Naples is now displacing the black grape. 



" I heard of several new sorts, which I purchased last autumn, and am 

 now growing them, to test their respective qualities. Of course, I cannot, 

 the first season, decide, as I should wish to have my plants well established. 

 The sorts purchased are : — 



"1. The Gondouin Bed. — A continental variety, with peculiarly red 

 wood and large foliage, very distinct in habit. 



" 2. The Cherry Red. — Also from the continent. This has extremely 

 large foliage, and stout shoots. 



" May^s Victoria. — This, I see, has been mentioned in several publica- 

 tions as a large and very prolific variety, and would, doubtless, be a fine 

 sort to save seed from. 



" Haughion Castle (Red). — This was raised in the far north of England. 

 Its character to me was large and late. It appears to be an erect grower, 

 and has abundance of fruit, which is of good flavor, though, from the cir- 

 cumstance of the trees being planted only last autumn, not so large as when 

 they become established. 



" 5. Goliath. — I have also received with this a first-rate character as a 



