26 



When to Renew the Plantation. 



A currant plantation will bear a great many good crops if well cared for, but if it 

 is neglected the bushes lose their vigour in a few years. The grower will have to 

 decide when to renew the plantation by the appearance of the bushes, but as a currant 

 plantation can be renewed at comparatively little labour it is best to have new bushes 

 coming on before the old ones show signs of weakness. At least six good crops may 

 be removed with fair treatment, and ten or more can be obtained if the bushes are in 

 rich soil and well cared for. Where one has only a few bushes for home use they may 

 be reinvigorated by cutting each of them down to the ground in alternate years, and 

 thus obtaining a fresh supply of vigorous young wood. 



RED AND WHITE CURRANTS. 



The red currant makes excellent jelly, and its popularity ia largely due to that 

 fact. A large quantity of red currant jelly is made every year in Canada. Red 

 currants are used to a lesser extent for pies and as jam, and are also eaten raw with 

 sugar. As a fruit for eating out of hand the red currant is not very popular, but 

 there are few fruits so refreshing and if it had less acidity more red currants would 

 be eaten that way. The white currants are better liked for eating off the bush than 

 the red as they are not so acid. The Moore Euby and Early Scarlet are two red varie- 

 ties, however, which are milder than most others, and for this reason are bettei 

 adapted for eating raw than moat. The red currant does not vary aa much in quality 

 as the black. 



Ked currants will remain in condition on the bushes for some time after ripen- 

 ing, hence do not have to be picked as promptly as the black. 



Varieties of Red and White Currants Recommended. 



Red — For general culture. — Pomona, Victoria, Cumberland Eed, Red Dutch, 

 Greenfield, Eankins' Red, Red Grape. 



Where bushes are protected with snow in winter, and for the milder districts.— 

 Pomona, Victoria, Cumberland Eed, Wilder, Cherry, Fay and Red Cross. Perfection 

 is promising. 



White. — White Cherry, Large White, White Grape. 



It is possible that under different conditions of soil and climate other varieties 

 might do equally well. 



BIACK CURRANTS. 



There are not so many black currants grown in Canada as red, but there is a 

 steady demand for them, and it is believed there will be an increasing demand as they 

 become better appreciated. The black currant makes excellent jelly, and the merits 

 of black currant jam have long been known. 



