108 CURRANTS. 



CHAPTER V 



CURRANTS. 



The Currants most deserving of cultivation are the fol- 

 lowing : — 



1. Black Naples. Pom. Mag. t. 43. 



The superiority of this consists, not only in the larger 

 size of the fruit, but in the clusters being more numerous on 

 the bushes, as vv ell as in each cluster bearing a greater num- 

 ber of berries. Cultivated in the Horticultural Garden at 

 Cheswick. 



2. Common Black. Eng. Bot. t. 1291. 



3. Champagne, with pale red fruit. 



4. Large Red, or Red Dutch. 



5. White Chrystal, with white fruit and large bunches. 



6. White Dutch, with yellow fruit and footstalks. 

 The nurserymen's Catalogues contain other names, some 



of which are probably a repetition of the same fruit. There 

 are indeed several worthless varieties of the Red Currant to 

 be found in gardens, which ought to be rooted up, and re- 

 placed by the larger fruited. Where the currant is cultiva- 

 ted for the purpose of mailing wine, the White Dutch is to 

 be preferred, as it is by far the sweetest : and it is also su- 

 perior in the dessert ; but its bunches are not so large as 

 those of the White Chrystal. 



When it is grown for the dessert, the size of the bunches 

 should be increased to the utmost extent of which they are 

 capable. This can only be accomplished by management. 

 Where bushes are injudiciously planted, and where they are 

 suffered to become mossy and crowded with branches, the 

 bunches are always small, and the fruit inferior in quality. 

 On the contrary, where bushes are advantageously planted, 

 and have plenty of room ; pruned annually, divesting them 

 of their old spurs, removing the young ones where they are 

 too numerous, and keepirg them thin of branches so as to 

 admit plenty of sun and air, the bunches will be larger, and 

 the fruit superior in size and flavour, in proportion to th« 

 care and judgment bestowed upon their management. 



