FOR FROFIT. 91 



CHAPTER XII. 



CURRANTS. 



BLACK CURRANTS. This fruit is heavily planted, 

 and about which controversy is always at work as to 

 sorts. There is none yet produced equal to the 

 Boskoop ; but as some kinds succeed where others fail, 

 it would be better to plant a proportion of each. No 

 other fruit produces an equal return per acre, year by 

 year, and they can be grown on damp soils. (See 

 special note on the dreaded Black Currant mite, under 

 Insect Pests). 



i. Boskoop Giant This is much more vigorous 

 and larger in berry than others, and has quite taken 

 the lead, as it produces the largest berries in fine 

 bunches, being more readily picked than any others, 

 and is less liable to attacks from the mite ; blossoms 

 late and yet comes early to pick. 



2. Lee's Prolific The sweetest, and the second best 

 in all points. Hardier than others. 



3. French Black A very profuse bearer, forming a 

 compact bush. 



The Black Naples has quite gone out of cultivation. 

 Some yet prefer the old Red Bud and the Champion. 



WHITE CURRANTS are but little grown ; they sell 

 well in punnets. Versailles is the largest; White 

 Dutch the best flavoured. 



RED CURRANTS. Here again there is confusion as 

 to sorts our great doctors cannot agree so we adopt 

 their local Kentish names. Treated in the way 



