128 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



time in dried currants. The currant has a wide extent of growth, and one 

 variety is a native of this country. I cannot say how far south it will 

 flourish. Currants will bear in four years from the seed. 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — I believe not much below latitude 35 deg. It is a 

 real northern fruit. 



Mr. Wra. S. Carpenter. — I have tried a great variety, but consider La Ver- 

 sailles, White Grape, Cherry, and White Provence, all-sufficient for any 

 family, making a good assortment. I do not like the English mode of 

 pruning in tree form. I prefer to cut out old wood, and have suckers start 

 up and make a bunch of canes. I do not approve, either, of training single 

 canes. The natural form of the White Grape appears to be spreading, and 

 the canes are not strong enough to hold up the great load of fruit. The 

 canes and leaves are of a grayish color. This variety is more productive 

 with me than any other variety. The Prince Albert is a good sort, nearly 

 as large as the Cherry currant. 



Rev. Mr. Weaver. — I have not had very great experience in growing 

 currants. I prefer the tree form. 



Mr. Geo. Johnson. — I wish Mr. Fuller would inform the Club the manner 

 in which he thinks the currant should be pruned. 



Mr. A. S. Fuller. — T would always prune in Autumn, and cut out and 

 burn the old wood, because it is infested with borers. The reason why 

 English gardeners got in the way of growing currant bushes in tree form 

 is, that the English black currant grows best in that climate in that form: 

 and so it has been given to others, whose natural habit is entirely different. 

 It is well to cut out all wood after it has borne fruit twice, because the 

 old wood gets wormy, and because it grows too thick and puts the fruit 

 too much in the shade. It needs sunshine to make it ripen perfectly. It 

 is not a bad way, particularly in small gardens, to trim the bushes to 

 single canes and train them upon a trellis, practicing the renewal system. 

 If you wish a tree form, you must cut out the buds from the start. Sum- 

 mer pruning by pinching should be practiced. Cuttings should be made 

 four to six inches long, in September, and set nearly all the length in the 

 soil, straight up, and covered in winter so as not to freeze hard. The 

 objection I have to the tree form of pruning is, that when the top grows 

 heavy it is liable to break oflf the single stem, particularly when affected 

 by the borer. 



The Rev. Mr. Weaver, of Fordhara.^I have succeeded well for four 

 years in pruning in this form. The bushes produce well, and are quite 

 ornamental. I have La Versailles, Cherry and White Grape, all of which I 

 consider excellent sorts for family use. I prune my tops in June of sur- 

 plus wood, and rarely have one blown off. If any fail, it is very easy to 

 keep a seed bed and replace them. I think the fruit grows larger berries 

 and bunches, trimmed in this way, than any other, and it is but little 

 trouble to get the form by taking the young plants and cutting out the 

 eyes next the root. 



Mr. Roberts asked for information about making currant jelly. He 

 thought the currants should be gathered before fully ripe, for jelly. If 

 they are ripe, as they should be to make wine, or for the table, they will 

 not make good jelly. 



