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CURRANT S—Ribes, 
The station plantation of currants consists of eighteen 
varieties, fifteen of which belong to the species rubram , one 
Dubett Tree being Ribes aurium and two Ribes nigrum . The 
latter with four varieties of rubrum were set only last spring. 
The red sorts are for the most part very similar, it be¬ 
ing quite difficult to distinguish between them either by 
their fruit or the character of the plants. Where old bunchy 
varieties were set along with those trained to more of a 
tree form, the latter invariably produced larger fruit, but 
not so large a yield. The more abundant the fruit, the 
smaller the berries. The crop of fruit was, commercially 
speaking, a complete failure the past season owing to the 
ravages of the insect mentioned in connection with goose¬ 
berries. Much of the fruit fell before time for picking. Of 
that which remained on the bushes till the sound fruit was 
mature, from 25 to 60 per cent was stung and contained the 
larvae of the fly. No such extensive damage appears on our 
previous records. Some plantations in this vicinity were 
comparatively uninjured. 
The varieties of currants tested on the station grounds 
follow in alphabetical order: 
Albert Prince. 
This variety is but slightly represented in the Station plat. It is con¬ 
siderably lacking in vigor and has been kept closely pruned for propagation 
purposes. The berries are of good size, white, and sweet. 
Cherry. 
Both old and young plants were included in the 1S9G plat, to which 
were added young plants in 1898. This red variety produced the largest 
berries of any variety on the grounds in 1896, and a good yield withal. Some 
of the berries measured 9-16 inches in diameter. The stems or branches are 
a little stronger Ilian Fay, but not nearly so strong as Red Dutch or 
Victoria. 
Dubett Tree —Ribes aurium. 
One plant of this variety was set in the plat in 1897. It has made a vig¬ 
orous growth, quite upright in character. Although the wood appears to 
ripen well, yet the leaves near the tips remain quite fresh and green till mid¬ 
winter or later The variety is being propagated by cuttings and the num¬ 
ber of plants will be increased in the near future. 
So far the fruit produced has been quite insignificant. 
Fay. 
Both old and young plants of this variety were set in 1896. The variety 
is not nearly so strong and vigorous as either Victoria or Red Dutch. It 
produces a great many new canes of spreading and unkempt habit. The 
injury from the winter of ’99 was considerable. Berries red, medium to 
large Yield fair to good. 
The variety requires extra care to Tistify the recommendations so fre¬ 
quently given it. 
