172 CURRANT. 



flower ; and while in the house should be frequently 

 supplied with manured water. 



A deep loam, rich with dung, and on a dry, rather 

 than on a wet bottom, is the soil best liked by the 

 currant ; though it will succeed in almost any kind 

 of land, if not absolutely poor. It must be remem- 

 bered however, that the richer the soil, and the 

 closer the trees are pruned, the larger will be the 

 fruit; and if the largest bunches and berries are 

 coveted, much thinning of the bunches, as well as 

 of the summer shoots, must be made soon as the 

 fruit are set. 



The white, red, and black are the principal kinds, 

 of each of which there are several (real or pre- 

 tended) varieties ; but the common and Dutch 

 whites ; the red, and large Dutch reds ; and the 

 black called the black Naples, are the best in culti- 

 vation. The white is a more durable tree than the 

 red ; some plantations of the former being known to 

 last for twenty years. 



The author has been more prolix on the currant 

 than many may think the subject deserves : but his 

 reasons are, that, considering the great usefulness of 

 the fruit as articles of diet, of confects, and for wine 

 making ; and seeing, in too many instances, the 

 gross neglect, and apparent ignorance of the cul- 

 ture ; he could do no less than give his best advice to 

 those of his readers who may need such informa- 

 tion. 



