Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-03-24

CULTIVATION OF THE CURRANT.-It has
grown to be almost maxim among experience
ed horticulturists, that, as a rule, no fruits pay
so well or give such general satisfaction, as the
so called small fruit, by which we understand
is meant the strawberries, gooseberries, cur
rants, &c. With few exceptions they are all
cheap, of easy culture, requiring but little
space, and begin to yield profitable returns al
most Immediately. OF these small fruits none
are more universally popular-not even ex-
ceptng the strawberry, by man considered the
most delicate and delicious of all fruits-than
the currant.
Indeed, every sensible man looks upon
them as almost necessity, and to see farm
garden without its currant patch would appear
as unnatural as to see barnyard without poul-
try. The fruit is very healthful, great for pies
and sauce in its green state, and when ripe no
less pleasant When carefully grown and its
acid toned down by plenty of bright sunlight,
it merits the term delicious and season
when there are no grapes, a long bunch of
homely Oldfashioned red currants are decid-
eddy cool and refreshing. And then, what jel-
lies, good home wines, extract from them =
where will you beat them this side of the In
dies ? just now they are attracting attention
in sections where the grape does not succeed
well, as wine producing fruit, and there is
no question but that they may be profitable
fruit yields pleasant and healthful beverage,
always in good demand in market Northern
Illinois is especially well adapted to producing
fine currants. The bushes do well on almost
any good soil, though they thrive best in a xich,
deep, rather moist loam
To have them in perfection they need high
culture and this is especially true of the new
varieties, some of which are decidedly great
acquisitions, though for general purposes the
Red Dutch, or large common red garden cur
rant now admitted to be identical, is good
enough for anybody, and has never been sur
passed in bearing qualities by any other varie-
ty. The Cherry Currant has for the last year
or so received very high recommendations,
which it undoubtedly deserves when highly
cultivated. The Victoria is very Urge and
fine, robust grower, and valuable as late
currant-Back English, Black Naples Og-
dens, and other Blacks seem generally to
be shy bearers in the West though they do
better as the bushes attain age. Among
Whites there is nothing better than White
Grape, it is in every way superior fruit, and
should be in every collection
In putting out a currant plantation where
space can be afforded, we would recommend to
plant four feet apart and so as to row both
ways. The ground should be SUBSIDIZED at
least eighteen inches deep, and, if practicable,
underdrained-if not throw into ridges, if the
situation is not naturally dry one. Select
strong one or two year old plants, or if you
wish to save the expense of burying, and think
you can afford the delay, it viii answer to put
the cuttings down instead of plants still, at
ruling prices for the plants at the hundred, it
is doubtful economy. AS the currant does
very well in the shade, Though the fruit is
later, more acid and not highly favored, it an
swers very well to plant them among young
orchard trees.
Keep down all sprouts about the roots I'M
less your bushes are worn out, when it is some
times good thing to cut out the old wood af-
ter the crop comes off, and let one or more Wig
orous new shoots take its place. A still better
way is, to renew the plantation about once in
ten years. Muching is often beneficial, but
frequent stirring with hoe or cultivator, and
good forking early in Spring, is still more eff
fectual.-VdHey Farmer.
The "White Grape" currant, above spoken
of, is called, also, the "White Transparent
The White Gondoin is also very fine white
currant, and both of them are sweeter than the
common kinds. The habit of the Gondoin is
more upright and better than that ofthe White
Grape. The Versaillaise is very splendid
new red currant. Both that and the Cherry
currant are about twice the size of the common
kind, if well cultivated.