VIII

DESCRIPTION OF CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRIES

CURRANTS and gooseberries have not often been the subjects of careful and formal descriptions in this country. Even in Card's "Bush Fruits" no special form of description seems to have been followed. It would be easy, however, to arrange a description blank after the general pattern of those in use for other fruits, and shown in the engravings in preceding chapters. An outline for a blank for the description of currants (Fig. 28) is suggested herewith.

The cluster is first described, its form and size being given. In form the clusters may be long or short, much branched or sparsely branched. In size they may be large, medium, or small, or in many cases it will be best to compare the size of clusters according to the number of individual fruits. Some varieties have very few berries in a cluster, others have many. The main stem of the cluster should be described with respect to its length, and

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any incidental characteristics should be mentioned, such as a very thick stem, or one of some unusual color, or one showing a tendency to be leafy. The peduncles, or little stems on which the individual fruits grow, vary in size and length, and these differences are to be recorded.

The berries are next taken up. The size is first disposed of, either by the use of some relative term like large or small, or by recording the actual diameter, preferably in millimeters. Next the color is given, remembering that this is one of the most important characters, either from the standpoint of classification or of the practical marketing of the fruit. The flesh is described as to its color, texture, and relative juiciness. The seeds are sometimes prominent and occasionally few, but always to be mentioned as to size and number. The flavor of currants is hardly to be distinguished in any other terms except as to degrees of sourness, yet varieties differ materially in this respect. In quality varieties also differ materially, though no two men might agree as to which one was best. These matters of flavor and quality are liable to serious confusion, and the reader should keep in mind

the distinctions drawn in another chapter, pages 53 and 55.

The use to which currants may be put may vary somewhat, though not often materially, according to the qualities of the variety. Some varieties are better for jelly than others, some varieties are best for spicing or preserving, some are good for dessert, and some, no doubt, are especially suitable for the manufacture of currant wine. Such adaptabilities, when they are known, make very proper

entries on a description sheet.

The season at which the fruit ripens should be given either relatively or absolutely. In some cases it seems best to classify varieties merely as early, midseason, and late; but, as a general rule, it is better to mention the actual date on which the fruit is ripe and ready for the table. To be sure, the practical currant grower will bear in mind that currants are often picked and marketed before they are ripe, this being necessarily the procedure with those destined for jelly. It may be desirable, therefore, in certain cases to mention the time at which a variety can be picked for jelly. to its height,

The plant is described as

form, vigor of growth, and susceptibility to disease. The height can be determined quite closely, though the same variety grows taller or shorter in different soils and under different treatment. In form some plants are much more bushy, spreading, or inclined to sprout, than others. Vigor of growth can best be estimated by observing the new wood which the plant makes annually. Nearly all our currant bushes are peculiarly susceptible to disease, though a few varieties are comparatively immune.

The foliage should be described as regards the form, size, thickness, color, and covering of the individual leaves. The terms commonly used in botanical and horticultural description are applicable here. There are no special descriptive terms.

Gooseberries

The outline for the description of gooseberries would naturally be very much like that for currants. As no one seems to have adopted any definite form for regular use, the accompanying suggestion (Fig. 29) is offered.

The only noteworthy points of difference. between this form and the one already out