SMALL FRUITS 93 



of these should be allowed to grow each year. 

 Preferably the old stems should be cut out at four 

 years old, because the younger wood bears better. 

 Liberal applications of stable manure or complete 

 commercial fertilizers may be given. The soil 

 should be kept cultivated and free from weeds, 

 especially around the bases of the bushes. Work 

 should begin as soon as the ground can be handled. 

 Unlike most other fruits, the currant does well 

 when partially shaded. It is, therefore, well 

 adapted for the home garden. 



There are three commercial classes of currants — 

 the red, white, and black. The former two all 

 belong to one species ; the latter is distinct. For 

 home use all three should be grown. The whites 

 and reds are more or less alike in flavor, but the 

 black is very distinct, and is not generally liked. 

 It is used principally for making jam. The best 

 known varieties of reds are Cherry, Fay, Red Cross, 

 Red Dutch, Versailles, Victoria, and Wilder. The 

 two most popular varieties are White Dutch and 

 White Grape. Among the black varieties the best 

 known are Black Naples, Champion, and Lee's 

 Prolific. 



" During my experience with currants in the last 

 30 years, I have found Fay, La Versailles, Cherry, 

 and Filler varieties best adapted to this section," 

 writes J. A. Hepworth of Ulster county. New York. 

 " My main crop consists of Filler, of which variety 

 I have about 50,000 bushes. Heavy clay loam 

 seems an especially desirable soil for this crop. 

 My bushes range in age from three to 15 years. I 

 do not allow any dead wood to remain, but every 

 year, preferably in the early spring or early fall, I 

 trim this all out. 



