Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-04-02
Agritultural
The Currant.


There are no more desirable accessories
to the garden than our small fruits, " neither
cultivated fyr proi:t or family use. We
have telJre rad something 10 say On the
subject, and recur 20 il again, net alone for
the benefit OF or numerous new subscribers.
bul because Horticultural knowledge, like
other kinds of knowledge, is necessarily
conveyed by Line upon line: pEeceP: u ION
precept.'' Some may think it needless loI
give directions for cultivating the currani,
since almost everybody Who has garden
grows il. BIZ, We think not. To 9'ta0 a.
plant involves the idea OF cultivation and
care: at least, il inciudes something more
than sticking plant in a hole, and gather
ins the fruit in the course Of time II this
be true, .hen probably not more than oue in
hundred gro4s the curren'; il grows iiseli,
and no thanks 10 anybody We know Of
no plant more neglected imam this. and We,
know Of none that yields Gicre generous
return fer proper care NJ fact ii nor;icul-
tursl SCIENCE is better e=iibii>hed, than ihat
hight culture IS j wise economy. Tais re-
max viii apply 10 the cusrant with peculiar
force. /. Is true so generous is its nsllre,
it Will from year tO yea- oduce moderate
crop under very bad treatment; but when
iudciousy cultivated the product is wonder
fully augmented in quantity, quality, and
size. In addition to this latter isct,a healthy,
weI-grown, symmetrical PlaHt, giadsome
with lis peculiar treasure, always produces
an emotion of pleasure in the bebOider:
matter Of no small inomentt 10 those who.
like us, would extract pleasure even trom
the sweat of their brow.
If, then, additional profit, as well as no
small degree Of pleasure, viii result irOul
the application OF skill and rare 10 the
treatment OF the currant, let Il by u laeyns
be done. Let il no longe. oe ih-Hs; iRtO
corner, o. some other cut -oi-l;i. wdy place
but bring it cut in The open air ard genial
sunshine, and minister properly loits watts.
1t is almost useless TO attempt to tring iulo
shape, vigor, and productiveness, cd, uE-
slightly and hali-destroyed plants. 1t IS be'ter
To begin anew. We do not Ike PiaIis
growntrom slckers. Procure hyee grow n rem
cuttings, and remove all The eyes and shoots
80 as TO prodacc clear stalk a foot or more
high, above which The head should be form
ed. This stalk must always be kept free
frcm shoots.
Let the ground be trenched couple Of
feet deep, AMI incorporate with it an sbun-
daut supply Of well-rotted manure. In plant
ing, remove enough earth to spread the roots
out in their natural position, cutting of all
that are bruised; and be careful not to plant
too deep. Tie the plant to small stake
till it becomes established: thin cut the
shoots SO ihat round open head will be
formed; shorten-in all the remaining shoots
about two thirds of their length, and work
of planting will be complete. The sub
sequent treatment will only become .ficuit
through neglect. An annual pruning is in
dispeIssbie, which may be done during the
winter, or very early in spring, and which
consists mainly in shortening-in the last
seasons growth, leaving about six inches
of new wood, and cutting out entirely all
branches that cross or Interiace each other,
so as to keep the head well ofen and IN
good shape. Suckers mnst be eradicsted
as soon as they make their appearauce.-l
Fork ia some good old manure in the spring,
,nd keep the ground mellow and free from
weeds. II the soil is stiff, the manure may
be applied in the fall, and fcrked in in the
spring. If you have done the work thorough
ly and skillfully, you may look Confidently
for an abundant reward.
This article would be incomplete without
a list OF desirable kinds.
The Red and Waite Dutch are, on the
whole, about the best, and are recommended
for the general crop. The Chsrry is large
and splendid variety but not very productive.
The White Grape is also large aGd hand
some.
Large While Province is very large and
handsome new variety.
Mary's Victoria is late, ard good bearer,
with long punches of fruit.
Prince Alert is fine late red variety
Back Naples and Bang Up are the best
black varieties, and are good for jeliies.--I
knights Street Red we grew four years be-
lore we discovered that the "sweet" was
predused by the literal addition Of sugar
The Lenq-Junchsd Red is desirable var ETY.
The list might be extended but we think
The above more than enough; they are the
best, SO far as cur experience goes. We
repeat, however, that the Red and White
Dutch will give most satisfaction for gem
a