Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-06-27
THE CURRANT.

This excellent berry will thrive in almost
any soil, but it is better when produced in a
dry and open ground, though not TO much en-
ders the fruit is ripe earlier and is sooner gone
than when growing in partially shaded situa-
tions; against north wall the fruit will hang
on the bushes until the middle or latter part of
September. Besides few bushels set out for
the express purpose of having fine fruit, the
current may be distributed in any part of the
garden where bush will fill up vacant spot
and may also bo trained against fanras. in whirh
situation they bear good croops In sandy soils
the fruit IS earlier, but the crop is small, and
soon gone. A strong, rich, deep loan, brings
the fruit to its highest state of perfection; but,
as general thing, fair fruit may be raised on
much poorer soil. When many plants are
wanted, Mr.. Hovey is of the opinion that The
best plan is TO set apart small spot of ground
for their exclusive growth, planting al distance
of six feet between the rows, and four feet
from plant TO plant. The roots should be care
fully spread out and covered with fine earth,
put firmly around. Give each plant a pot of
water, if dry weather at the time Of planting,
and keep the soil loose, and free from weeds
After slips or cuttings have stood about two
years, they will be fit TO be removed to those
places where it is intended they shall remain.
They should not be allowed TO produce suckers,
and, to insure this, The superfluons eyes or
buds should be taken out before planting the
slip or cutting. They should be kept with
single stems, and heads branching out at from
two TO three feet from the ground. Berries of
a large size are obtained by pnching out the
ends of all the strong-growing shoots, in the
early summer, when the fruit is two-thrds
grown BY this process, the plant is made to
expand all its strength in enlarging and matur-
ing its fruit As the young plants are so easily
raised land bear fnerffuit than the old ones, some
growers think it better plan not to cultivate the
latter when they have attained the age of eight
years or so , but this practice is by no means
general. The standard varieties of the cur
rant may be enumerated as follows Red Dutch
also known as Morgan's Red, and Red Grape
"a large sized currant, color red, rather mild
flavor, grows in long clusters, White Dutch
also called White Leghorn, White Crystal,
Morgan's White, Reeves White; size large,
skin slightly yelowish favor mild quite hardy,
and an excellent dessert fruit Black Naples /;
considered the black varieties, being larger and
more prolific; Champagne-a pale red fruit,
large, quite acid, not of superior quality gen.
orally; Mays Victora-has large berry, of
brilliant red color; superior flavor, very pro-
ductive, and by many regarded as The best OF
all the colored kinds knights Early Red,
Common Black, and Striped Fruiled, are varie-
ties of fair quality, and considerably cultiya-
ted in some sections. In Massachusetts, the
varieties which are most favorably thought of
for cultivation, are the Black Naples, Mays
Victoria, Red Dutch The currant is very
wholesome fruit, and is possessed of some val
nahle medicinal qualities. The common black
currants are larger than the red or white
but they have peculiar flavor, which, to somt
, persons, is unpleasant.