2i6 The Versaillaise Currant. 



to append his own remarks which accompanied the tables that he laid 

 before the society. 



A highly-intelligent farmer in the interior of Ohio reminds me of a com- 

 mon observation in that region, which has been handed down from the first 

 settlement of the country, — that, whenever a cold rain occurred in the early 

 part of June, the oak-mast was certainly destroyed. It seemed as though 

 the young acorns could not withstand the wetting. In this case, the 

 damage was not done to the blossoms, as they appeared at an earlier period. 

 Every cultivator of peaches is familiar with the trouble known as curled- 

 leaf, and all associate its appearance with the occurrence of a cold rain- 

 storm ; though the presence of aphides has by some been considered the 

 proximate cause of the curl. The damaging effect of continued rains and 

 chilly weather, occurring at the period of inflorescence of our fruit-trees, 

 must be familiar to all observing horticulturists. Excessive moisture, and 

 the consequent scarcity of insects, seem to combine in preventing the per- 

 fect distribution of the pollen, and the consequent impregnation of the 

 germs. 



[Mr. Huntington's address, referred to above, will be found in our " Notes 

 and Gleanings." — Ed\ 



THE VERSAILLAISE CURRANT. 



This variety was originated by M. Bertin of Versailles from the seed of 

 the cherry-currant. It is of the largest size, the clusters frequently con- 

 taining from fifteen \o eighteen berries. The color is brilliant red, semi- 

 transparent. The bush is vigorous, and an abundant bearer. It is the 

 best of all the new large kinds : and, though hardly equal in flavor to the 

 Red Dutch, its increased size more than compensates, especially when 

 raised for market ; for wbich purpose it takes precedence of all others, 

 bringing nearly or quite double price. 



It is quite distinct from the cherry-currant, with which it has been sup- 



