REPORT ON RED AND WHITE CURRANTS AT CHISWICK. 135 



have been carefully noted for several years, and were examined 

 during the past year (1890) by the Fruit Committee. 



It was found impossible from the fruits alone to adopt any 

 classification ; for although varying considerably in the size of 

 the bunches and the berries, and in their colour, &c, these are 

 so much influenced by cultivation, situation, &c, that nothing 

 definite could be arrived at. The following classification is 

 therefore based chiefly on the general appearance of the plants, 

 their foliage, habit of growth, &c. This is generally very decided, 

 and easily to be recognised. The typical names adopted, under 

 which the others are grouped as synonyms, may not in all cases 

 be the oldest or the most appropriate, but in many cases we had 

 no means of determining which were the original names. Of Red 

 Currants sixteen distinct classes or varieties have been recognised 

 out of the forty-five named sorts which appear in various cata- 

 logues, and of White Currants six distinct varieties out of nine- 

 teen named sorts. 



Red Cuekants. 



Belle de Fontenay. — See La Versaillaise. 

 Cerise. — See Champagne. 



1. Champagne (syns. Cerise, Couleur de Chair, Bed Cham- 

 pagne, Ombree). — Plant moderately robust, compact ; leaves 

 small bright green, resembling the Red Dutch ; bunch of medium 

 size ; berries small, of a pale cerise or pink colour, and as sweet 

 and pleasant as the white varieties. A profuse cropper. Distinct. 

 Useful for dessert. 



Chenonceaux. — See Red Cherry. 



2. Chiswick Red (syn. d Feuilles bordees). — Large, sweet 

 Red. Plant of dwarf, compact growth. Leaves small, flat, of a 

 pale glaucous green ; a portion, especially those in the shade, 

 having a narrow margin of yellow ; very distinct in appearance. 

 Bunch short, borne in dense clusters. Berries small, of a pale- 

 red colour, somewhat acid. A most profuse cropper. 



Couleur de Chair. — See Champagne. 



3. Cut-leaved (syn. a Feuilles laciniees). — Plant of some- 

 what slender growth, spreading. Leaves small, much cut and 

 lobed, and of various sizes ; very distinct in appearance. Bunches 

 of medium size. Berries medium size, bright red, brisk acid. 

 A very free-cropping variety. 



