THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN. 
63 
THE CRANDALL CURRANT. 
To the Editor ^;/THE National Nurseryman : 
In the March number of The National Nursery¬ 
man, Mr. John Charlton, of Rochester, N. Y., asks for 
evidence concerning the Crandall Currant. He asks first, 
what are its merits t I answer, hardiness both in wet 
and drouth and freedom from insects, great productive¬ 
ness and excellent quality of fruit. As to its being new, 
I can only say that at its introduction it was new to me. 
I have never scanned its history closely. Mr. Charlton 
does not think any one with authority or weight will 
recommend it. As to the qualifications of this witness 
the court must decide. I have grown it here for six 
years, as a test with a few plants. I have this year plant¬ 
ed, expecting to grow fruit for market. In the six years 
I have grown it, it has never failed, through all sorts of 
seasons, to produce good crops of fruit. The fruit grows 
in clusters similar to a cherry and not as other currants 
in bunches resembling the grape. The berry is a dark, 
dull red, almost black ; in size about equal to a medium 
Early Richmond cherry. The flavor is more nearly that 
of the cherry perhaps than of the currant, yet quite dis¬ 
tinct. It cans well, makes good jellies and excellent 
pies, in fact, it is equal to the sour cherries for any pur¬ 
pose we have tried it. As to its being identical with wild 
fruit of New York, I think there is some mistake. I am 
acquainted with the wild fruit of Missouri, Iowa, Indi¬ 
ana and Michigan, and I do not know any that closely 
resembles this. And I think there is a mistake for this 
additional reason, that the Crandall is said to be an im¬ 
provement on the wild currant of the sand hills and 
bottoms of this country which it does resemble, and I 
much doubt whether there is any closer kinship between 
the wild currant of this country and New York state than 
there is between the wild plum of the two sections, and 
they are certainly distinct enough. 
I fully agree with Mr. Charlton as to the necessity of 
care in recommending new fruit before trial, but I do not 
think it advisable to condem a fruit without qualification, 
nor to endorse it without the same care. The National 
Nurseryman is of wide circulation ; it is published at 
some considerable distance from where I am writing. I 
am in the heart of what was lately noted on maps as the 
Great American Desert. Mr. Charlton sat writing his 
article in the great fruit-producing state of New York, 
and there is necessarily considerable difference in soil and 
climate. He may be correct as to the Crandall in his 
locality. However, I am inclined to think he has not 
got the Crandall. 
Meade, Kan. E. D. Smith, 
greatly pleased. 
T. T. Lyon, Chairman Michigan State Committee, 
World's Columbian Exposition, South Haven, Mich. “I 
am greatly pleased with the excellent taste and thorough neatness 
of the number received.” 
HENRY AUGUSTINE. 
One of the most prominent nurserymen in the country 
is Henry Augustine, of Normal, Ill., president of the 
American Association of Nurserymen. Mr. Augustine 
is a veteran nurseryman. In 1867 he established the 
business of which he has since been the head. A natural 
talent combined with his practical experience during the 
last twenty-six years, has made him an authority on the 
propagation and culture of all kinds of nursery stock. 
The firm of Augustine & Co. does next to the largest 
business in Normal, one of the largest nursery centers of 
the country. The plant comprises 350 acres at Normal 
and at Topeka, Kan. The firm imports heavily and its 
wholesale trade is large. Mr. Augustine is president of 
the Illinois Horticultural Society, one of the most influ¬ 
ential. He is in charge of the Illinois Horticultural dis¬ 
play at the World’s Columbian Exposition. 
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that advertisers notify them before the i 5th of each month 
of any change desired in their advertisements. 
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