CURRANTS. 161 



the sweetest : and it is also superior 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 keeping them thin of branches so as to 

 admit plenty of sun and air, the bunches w r ill be larger, 

 and the fruit superior in size and flavour, in proportion 

 to the care and judgment bestowed upon their manage- 

 ment. 



Propagation. 



Currants are propagated by cuttings only, where good 

 and handsome bushes are required ; for this purpose, 

 strong vigorous young shoots should be selected, which 

 are straight, and about twelve inches of the lowest part 

 of each made use of. The eyes from six or eight inches 

 of each cutting should be cut out previously to planting, 

 w r hich will prevent suckers from being thrown up from 

 the roots. When they have been two years in the 

 nursery-bed, and have formed heads of four or five 

 shoots, they may be planted where they are intended to 

 remain, taking care to have a stem of eight inches, 

 clear above ground, to each plant. 



Its cultivation is the same as the Gooseberry, which 

 see. 



M 



