326 AMERICAN HUSBANDRY, 



land, when the varieties are well selected ; its de- 

 licious and healthy qualities, and the ease with 

 which it can be cultivated, it must be considered 

 surprising that so little attention is paid to it, not 

 only by mechanics and professional men who culti- 

 vate gardens of their own, but by fanners, who cer- 

 tainly should devote a small space of ground to this 

 most valuable of fruits. 



CURRANT. Ribes. 



This well-known shrub is found in almost every 

 garden, and the fruit, where good varieties are se- 

 lected and the plant is properly cultivated, is de- 

 servedly esteemed. When fully ripened, the cur- 

 rant is prized as a dessert fruit ; and in an earlier 

 stage is used for pies and tarts. A good wine is 

 also made from it with little expense or trouble, and 

 might easily be made to supersede the cheap import- 

 ed wines, as, when well made, it is certainly supe- 

 rior to the most of them. There are many varie- 

 ties of the currant, red, white, and black ; and varie- 

 ties of the cultivated kinds may be multiplied to any 

 extent by sowing the seed. The best and most 

 usual mode of propagation is by cuttings from the 

 last years growth, and healthy, vigorous shoots 

 should be chosen. 



In common with most other fruits, the currant 

 succeeds best in a good loam, but will grow in al- 

 most any soil that is sufficiently deep and rich. 

 This shrub will grow in the shade of trees ; but the 

 finest and best flavoured fruit is found only in situs- 

 ations exposed to the sun, and open to a free circu- 

 lation of air. Currants are commonly planted in 

 rows around the borders of gardens, where they are 

 left to take care of themselves, and soon throw up 

 such a multitude of suckers that the fruit becomes 

 inferior from the crowding oif the branches, and the 

 want of thinning and pruning. 



To prevent this multiplicity of shoots, and give 



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