Ornamental Currants and Gooseberries 331 



writers, nor those of recent days which have attained no 

 prominence in American horticulture. 



RECOMMENDED VARIETIES OF GOOSEBERRIES 



The Downing is undoubtedly still the leading com- 

 mercial gooseberry in the United States, though too small 

 to be entirely satisfactory. In the foreign class Industry 

 is best known and probably most generally successful. 

 Among the newer sorts which are attaining prominence, 

 Chautauqua, American Red Jacket and Poorman are 

 worthy of especial mention. 



ORNAMENTAL CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRIES 



The best known species in this role is the flowering cur- 

 rant, Ribes odoratum (Fig. 46), commonly known as R. 

 aureum, so common in eastern gardens. This is a most 

 attractive plant early in spring. It forms a graceful, droop- 

 ing shrub, well adapted to masses or groups. In the early 

 months of summer few plants are more attractive than this, 

 regardless of its bloom, for its foliage is bright and glossy, 

 and the form of the plant perfect. Yet before the middle 

 of August its leaves are mostly gone. Were it not for 

 this defect, few plants would deserve a higher rank for 

 ornament. 



The most showy plant of the genus is the fuchsia- 

 flowered gooseberry, Ribes speciosum, of the Pacific coast 

 (Fig. 47). Its flowers are long, bright red and handsome, 

 and its foliage small, firm and glossy. It is a good plant 

 for ornament, but is not hardy in the northern states. 



A plant which has received much more attention for its 

 flowering qualities is the red-flowered currant, Ribes 



