286 NEW AMERICAN ORCHAKDIST* 



CURRANT. (JK6.) 



The RED CURRANT is a low, branching shrub ; the 

 wood is smooth ; the leaves pubescent and doubly serrated ; 

 the flowers are yellowish, and in racemes ; they are produced 

 in April ; the fruit in clusters like grapes ; the berries 

 round, smooth, of an acid taste. A native of America 

 and of the north of Europe. 



The WHITE CURRANT is stated to be but a variety, pro- 

 duced by cultivation from the seed of the Red. 



The BLACK CURRANT is a distinct species, a native of 

 the north of Europe and Asia ; a low shrub, with smooth 

 wood ; the leaves are three-lobed, pubescent, with a strong 

 odor; the flowers are in racemes, the fruit in clusters, 

 black, and odorous ; of an astringent taste. 



USES. The red or white currant is used as a dessert 

 fruit, as it possesses a pleasant acid taste ; it is afeo used in 

 pies, tarts, preserves, jellies, &c. Currant wine is made by 

 adding to the expressed juice of fifty pounds of ripe cur- 

 rants, seven gallons of water, and thirty-three pounds of 

 good dry Havana sugar. This liquor is put intogood casks, 

 which must never be quite filled, as the pulp must never be 

 suffered to work out, as its presence is essential to the 

 goodness of the liquor. The bung is left out forty-eight 

 hours, then laid on loosely a fortnight, then driven tight ; 

 and in five months it will be fine and fit for use. The first 

 young leaves of the common currant bush, gathered as soon 

 as they put out, and dried on tin, can hardly be distin- 

 guished, it is said, from green tea. Prom the black cur- 

 rant a jelly is made, of considerable medicinal efficacy ; a 

 wine is also made from them, which possesses far supe- 

 rior medicinal virtues to Port wine. The jelly has been 

 highly recommended for disorders of the throat, and as a 

 necessary article in the stores of ships sailing to the East 

 Indies. A liquor is prepared from the black currant, 

 which Mr. Forsyth states is possessed of great medicinal 

 efficacy in obstinate coughs, dz/c. The currants for this 

 purpose are bruised, and being placed in a jar, whisky or 

 any other species of alcohol is poured over them ; the jar 

 is then covered close for a fortnight ; after this the liquor 

 is strained and bottled. We are informed, by Mr. Neil!, 



