Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-04-13
a0rtcuIturaI.
LINN nc Nt,c ENGLAND Fdrmer
Cultivation of the Currant.

Mn. Enron; The ourrant, IL must be ad.
m;lted. is one of our best summer fruits, aud
deserves more attention in the cultivation, than
IL generally receives from mfst Of our farmers.
Many still retain tho uid kinds, often leaving.
them to take Gee Of themselves year after year,
apparently satisfied with their producing small,
SOUR, poor fruit All cultiyators should at once
discard the old varieties OF The currani, ana
substitute for them the new and better kinds
These should be planted in the rich soil ana
kent clear from grass and weeds, and subjected
to a regular system of pruning. Some culiiva-
tors pfuno the shrub to single stem, but we
never could see much advantage derived from
this mode; for when grown in this form, and
the stem weakened by the attacks Of the borer,
M IA frequently the case, it is very liable TO be
broken of and being deprived before planting
of the power TO send up suckers, the whole plant
is lost And we think also, in given space,
they will produce less fruit than those cultivated
with several stems, in form Of n bush But when
permittcd thus 10 grow, il should be kept clear
from superAuous branches, and old wood en-.
deavorng always to keep succession of young
and vigorous wood, of two or three years growth ;
for 1t is on such branches that VIC always find
the best fruit. Currants are much better 10
remain some time on the bushes, after they are
well colored, and supposed to be ripe. They
improve in their flavor, and lose much Of their
acidity. Knights Early Red and Sweet Red,
the White Dutch, together with all other early
or comparatively sweet varieties Of the currani
should be placed on tho south side Of wall or
fence, and fully exposed to the sun. This ex.
posure will hasten the ripening Of the fruit, and
lessen its acidty. On the contrary, the late va
rieties, such as Lowett's Red and the Victoria
should be placed on the north side Of a wall OF
fence. BY adopting this mode of planting the
cnrrant, they can be brought forward much ear
lier in the season or retarded till late in autumn
We also prefer these close quarters for our bush
es, to more open ones in the garden, because We
can more etectualiy secure the fruit from the
depredations of birds
In regard to the different kinds Of currant
now under cultivation, We would name the Red
and white Dutch, two very good varieties. Tn,
latter when fully ripe, is much less acid than th'
red. The Champagne, pink colored variety
is very handsome, and is more acid than the red
Mr.. Knights Sweet Rcd is only comparativel
50, being less acid than the White Dutch
Knights Early Red, being abapt ten days CO.
lier than any other currant; Knights Large Rec
larger than the Dutch; Lovetts Large Red,
good late currant Victoria, an uncommon
large fine eurrant; and the Cherry currani
lately introduced, said to be one of the larges
currants, but not thought, by some, to be YER
good or productive. The black currants an
medicinal, anu not TtlenSu bl many leTeOHi
until they have acquired fondness for them b
frequent use, as we do for the tomato II is Their
as VIC do ourselves know, detachable TO the tas,,
The Black Grape and Black Naples are some
the best varieties of this currant There wi
probably be many varieties of the currant adde
TO the above list, from our newly acquired terri
tories on the shores OF the Pacific some hayin
already been discovered, with fruit as swee
and as pleasant as the strawberry. An
when the adventures, now pressing forward |
those shores, shall have, in some measure, C,
hausted its mineral wealth, we hope their after
ton will be directed to its vegetable production
and that we. who dwell on the shores of the A
lantic, shall receive from them many valuabl
trees, shrubs, and plants.
6. p. FOWLER.
Danvars New Mills Mas.