80 



But if the worm disposes of our currant crop in a summary 

 way, it is fortunate that we are able to rid ourselves of the 

 worm in an equally summary manner. A tablespoonful of 

 powdered white hellebore (veratrum album) to a pailful of 

 water, well mixed, and applied with a watering can having a 

 fine sprinkler, will end the career of the currant-worm in a very 

 short time. The powder may be dusted over the bushes when 

 wet, and will prove equally effective. It should be understood 

 that this article is a poison, and should be used with care, and 

 kept beyond the reach of children and valuable animals. It is 

 not as dangerous as Paris green, and as it soon loses strength 

 it is often quite harmless when first purchased, and of no value 

 as a destroyer of insects. Be sure to get a pure article from 

 some reliable druggist, and keep it excluded from the air. It is 

 washed from the plants by the first rain, long before the fruit 

 will be fit to use. 



There are but few varieties of the currant in cultivation, and 

 only one of any note of American origin. It is fortunate that 

 we are not obliged to make a selection from a hundred sorts, as- 

 in case of the strawberry. 



The old Red and White Dutch are very productive, and are 

 standard varieties as to quality, but they are not equal in size to- 

 the Cherry, Versailles, and White Grape. 

 These last named are more extensively 

 grown at the present time than any other. 

 The Cherry and Versailles are hardly dis- 

 tinguishable, and whoever has either need 

 not go to the trouble and expense of pur- 

 chasing the other. The Cherry is thought 

 by some to give the 

 larger berries, while 

 the Versailles pro- 

 duces the larger 

 bunches. Fay's 

 Fig. 36. Prolific, Fig. 36, is 



a new American currant, and claimed to be twice as productive 

 as any other variety. It is undoubtedly very promising, but 

 the plants have always been held at too high a price to admit 

 of its being extensively planted. Dana's Transparent is one 



