494 FLOWERS OF FIELD, HILL, AND SWAMP 



tary, whitish spines grow on the stem. Flowers, green, i or 2 

 on short peduncles. A species sometimes found in gardens, 

 but not much improved by cultivation. 



The finest gooseberries are raised in the gardens of the opera- 

 tives of the factories in Lancashire, England. There the berries 

 are sometimes 2 inches in diameter. In Scotland, also, the fruit 

 is large and delicious. It is eaten, when ripe, uncooked, and con- 

 sidered one of the most desirable of fruits. Our climate, with its 

 extreme summer heat, is not favorable to the best development 

 of the gooseberry, which requires coolness and dampness. 



60. Red Currant 



R. rubriim is a wild currant found in cold swamps in New 

 England and New Jersey. Flowers and red berries in droop- 

 ing racemes. Leaves, 3 to 5-lobed, serrate, downy underneath, 

 with whitish veins, especially when young. 



Cultivated, this species becomes the red currant of our gardens. 

 From the dictionary we learn that the currant is so called "from 

 the city of Corinth, in Greece, whence, probably, the small, dried 

 grape (seedless raisin) was imported, the ribes fruit receiving its 

 name from its resemblance to that fruit.'' 



61. Wild Black Currant 



R. flbridum bears whitish flowers, which are large, showy, 

 and abundant, in racemes. Leaves, alternate, sharply 3 to 5- 

 lobed, dotted, somewhat heart-shaped, toothed. Time, May. 

 Fruit, nearly round, black, smooth, no prickles upon the stem 

 or calyx. The taste of the berry is insipid and too sweet. It 

 is cultivated, but not so much esteemed as the red currant. 



Found in New England woods, southward to Virginia and 

 Kentucky. 



62. Fetid Currant 



R.prostrcttum has deeply lobed, 5- to 7-divided, heart-shaped 

 leaves. Fruit, a light-red berry. Plant low, with prostrate 



