VARIETIES OF RED AND WHITE CURRANTS
Admirable. 1. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 56:11. 1907.
Resembles Fay. Plants moderately vigorous, unproductive.
Angers. 1. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat. 24. 1883. Fertile dyAngers. 2. Gen. Farmer 22:2 7. 1861.
This variety, of unknown origin, dates back for three-quarters of a
century. The American Pomological Society held this variety in the list
of recommended fruits from 1860 to 1893. Plants very productive;
bunches of medium size; berries large, bright red; good.
Attractor. 1. Horticulturist 9:11. 1854.
This variety originated in France. It was placed in the fruit catalog
of the American Pomological Society in 1862; removed nine years later.
Plants moderately vigorous, spreading, productive; foliage deeply
lobed, sharply and deeply serrated; fruit of medium size, yellowish
white; bunches short, medium in size.
Bar le Due. 1. Fest. Pom. Inst. Reut. 34. 1911. 2. Bunyard Cat. 27. 1923.
A valuable variety much grown at Bar-le-Duc, Meuse, France, for
preservation, and the making of a most delicious jelly. Plants
vigorous; fruit large, white, translucent with but few seeds; sweet.
Belle de Fontenay. 1. Rural N. Y. 10:255. 1859.
Once grown in France and used by French horticulturists in the breeding of currants. Fruit large, red; good.
Benwell. 1. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 56:11. 1907.
Plants moderately vigorous, productive; bunches of medium size, loose;
berries small, bright scarlet, very acid; quality fair; midseason.
Blanche de Verrieres. 1. Guide Prat. 23. 1895. Verrieres White. 2. Can. Cent Exp. Farm Bul. 56:14. 1907.
Plants vigorous, upright, moderately productive; fruit medium in size,
in long, well-fllled clusters; skin pale yellow; flesh juicy, sprightly
subacid; good.
Boston Lady. 1. Gard. Mon. 2:250. 1860.
Plants vigorous, very productive; fruit very large, white; flesh richly flavored, sweet; good; late.
Brayley. 1. Ont. Dept. Agr. Fr. Ont. 265. 1914. Brayley's Seedling. 2. Ont. Fr. Exp. Sta. Rpt. 116. 1904.
Origin unknown. Plants upright, spreading, vigorous, healthy, hardy,
not very productive; bunches long, straggling, loose; berries of medium
size, dark red, sprightly acid; k midseason. v
Buist Long-bunched, 1. Puller Sm. Fr. Cult. 204. 1867.
Supposed to be a seedling of Red Dutch which was originated by Robert
Buist, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Plants vigorous, upright,
productive; fruit large, deep red; bunches long, tapering, similar to
Red Dutch in flavor and color.
Cancasische. 1. Dochnahl Fuhr. Obstkunde 4:182. 1860. 2. Card. Chron. 3rd Ser. 62:217. 1917.
Origin unknown. Plants vigorous, unproductive; bunches medium; berries
medium in size, red, mildly subacid; midseason.
Caywood Seedling. 1. N.Y. Sta. Bul. 95:427, PL IV, fig. 14. 1895.
Received at
this Station from A. J. Caywood et Son, Marlboro, New York, in 1888.
Plants spreading or drooping, very productive; bunches of medium size;
berries large, pale greenish yellow, transparent; good; more acid than
White Grape.
Champagne. 1. Mawe-Abercrombie Univ. Gard. Bot. 1778. 2. Fuller Sm. Fr, Cult. 204. 1867. Groseillier hGros Fruit. 3. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat. 94. 1862. Coleur de Chair.
4. Duhamel Trait. Arb. Fr. 1:267. 1768.
This old variety is probably a cross between the common red and the
common white currants. The wood and foliage are very similar to that of
the common red. The American Pomological Society included the variety
in its fruit catalog from 1862 to 1871. Plants vigorous, productive;
bunches medium in length, loose; berries large, pale pink, rather acid;
late. Esteemed in France for making jelly.
Champagne White. 1. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 56:14. 1907.
Plants vigorous,
upright, moderately productive; bunches medium to long, half-filled;
berries medium to large, pale yellow, subacid, with a pleasant flavor;
good; midseason.
Champion. 1. N. Y. Sta. Bul. 95:427. 1895.
As grown at this Station the plants are upright, vigorous; bunches of
medium length; berries variable, small to large, a shade lighter in
color than White Dutch, flavor mild; inferior to White Dutch.
Chautauqua. 1. W. N. Y. Hort. Soc. Rpt. 26. 1904. 2. N. Y. Sta. Bul. 385:311. 1914. 3. Ohio Sta. Bul. 371:327. 1923. Chautauqua Climbing. 4. Rural N. Y. 61:848. 1902.
The long growth of the canes of this variety can be trained against a
wall or trellis until they reach a height of ten or twelve feet. This
character accounts for the synonym, Chautauqua Climbing. The variety is
among the best in a collection of forty sorts on the grounds of this
Station. The plants are vigorous, healthy and very productive. The
clusters are unusually long, with stems free from berries at the base,
and therefore easy to pick. The berries are large, handsome, light red,
high in quality, and hang long after ripening. All in all, however,
chiefly because of the unmanageable canes, the variety cannot be
recommended for commercial plantations, but may be desirable for
trellises or fences in home gardens. This currant is a chance seedling
found in the woods by R. F. Lonnen, Mayville, New York, about 1893. The
variety was introduced by the Curtice Nursery Company, Portland, New
York, about 1901.
Plants large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense, very productive,
healthy; young shoots rather few, stocky, dark brown overlaid with dull
gray; leaf-buds characteristically very small, short, pointed, lean,
appressed, glabrous; leaves cordate to subcordate at the base, with
obtuse lobes, thin, dark green, dull, rugose, glabrous, with crenate
margins; petiole medium in length and thickness, pubescent, greenish.
Flowers early, in long, drooping, many-flowered racemes; calyx-tube
green, saucer-shaped, glabrous; calyx-lobes sometimes overlapping,
yellowish green; ring of medium size, well developed, fleshy; ovary
glabrous. Fruit midseason, easily picked; clusters long, loose, with
15-24 berries; cluster-stems and berry-stems long, slender; berries
adhere well after ripening, medium to large, roundish or slightly
oblate, attractive, light, bright red; skin smooth, thin, tough,
translucent; flesh moderately juicy, sprightly to tart; quality very
good.
Chenonceau. 1. Guide Prat. 22. "1895. 2* Gard. Chron. 3rd Ser. 62:217. 1917.
A distinct form of the Versailles type, having shorter bunches and ripening later. Of little merit.
Cherry. 1. Mag. Hort. 21:425, fig. 19. 1855. 2. Hogg Fruit Man. 318.
1884. 3. Ohio Sta. Bul. 371:328, 365. 1923. Cerise. 4. Horticulturist 1:439. 1846-47. Macrocarpa. 5. Mag. Hort. 25:32. 1859. Groseille Cerise. 6. Pom. France. 8:No. 1, PL 1. 1873.
Perhaps this is the most popular currant for home and market use in
America. It is esteemed for its large bunches and berries, and its
vigorous, healthy plants. Cherry is generally considered the most
productive of the large-fruited red currants. The berries, as the color
plate shows, are beautiful bright red, of largest size, which, however,
is not always uniform. The fruits are juicy and of excellent quality,
from which the large seeds detract a little. In many localities the
plants do not sucker freely, so that the bushes sometimes have too few
stalks. There is, also, a tendency in the canes to "go blind," that is,
to lack the terminal shoot. Harvesting is made a little difficult by
the short-stemmed bunches, the berries of which are so close to the
wood that the crop is hard to pick. The plants are so vigorous and so
luxuriant in foliage that they might well be planted as ornamentals.
This variety seems to have originated in Italy and was introduced into
France about 1840, and because of the extraordinary size of the fruit
was named Cherry. It was introduced into Flushing, New York, by Dr.
William W. Valk in 1846. Cherry was added to the recommended fruit list
of the American Pomological Society in 1862.
Plants
medium to large, vigorous, upright when young becoming more spreading
with age, dense, usually productive, healthy; young shoots few, very
stocky, with a tendency to imperfect buds at or near the ends of the
shoots especially on bearing plants; leaf-buds rather small, short,
pointed, lean, appressed, glabrous; leaves deeply cordate at the base,
with obtuse lobes, medium in* thickness and color, dull, rugose, with
crenate margins; petiole medium in length and thickness, pubescent,
greenish. Flowers early, in medium to long, drooping, rather
few-flowered racemes; calyx-tube green mingled with red, saucer-shaped,
glabrous; calyx-lobes overlapping, pale green with slight red; ring
well developed, fleshy, distinctly brownish. Fruit early; clusters
small, short, loose, with 10-13 berries, drooping; cluster-stems short making the fruit difficult to
pick, thick; berry-stems medium to rather long, slender; berries cling
well only for a comparatively short time, very large, not very uniform,
round, bright but dark red; skin thin, smooth, tough, translucent;
flesh very juicy, firm, acid or mildly subacid, pleasantly flavored;
quality good.
Chiswick Red. 1. Wright Fr. Gr. Guide 3:157. 1892. 2. Gard. Chron. 3rd Ser. 62:232. 1917.
Origin unknown. Plants vigorous, upright, productive; bunches medium in size; berries small, pale red, acid; early.
Climax White. 1. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 56:14. 1907.
Originated by William Saunders, Ottawa, Canada. Plants vigorous,
upright, productive; bunches medium, one-half filled; berries medium to
large, pale yellow; briskly subacid; good; midseason.
Comet. 1. Gard. Chron. 3rd Ser. 20:137, fig. 26. 1896. 2. Am. Pom. Soc. Sp. Rpt. 82. 1904-05. 3. Rural N. Y. 64:650. 1905.
Comet originated on one of the Channel Islands, probably Guernsey, and
was introduced about 1896. It was brought to the United States about
1900. The variety has been thought by some writers to be identical with
Versailles, and by others, identical with Fay. Plant a strong grower
with thick, leathery, dark green foliage; bunches large, compact, with
long stems; berries large, bright, deep red, seedy; of good quality.
Connecticut Sweet. 1. Country Gent. 21:305. 1863.
Found many years ago in an old garden in Bethany, Connecticut. Berries large; flesh melting, juicy, sweet; early.
Cumberland Red. 1. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 56:11. 1907. 2. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt. 287. 1921.
Originated by C. L. Stevens, Orillia, Ontario. Plants vigorous,
spreading, productive; bunches medium in size and length; berries
medium in size, bright scarlet, acid; fair; midseason.
Cut-leaved. 1. Gard. Chron. N. S. 5:528. 1876.
Plants slender,
spreading, unproductive; bunches medium in size; berries small, pale
red; poor; cultivated only as an ornamental.
Dana White. 1. Country Gent. 22:255. 1863.
This variety originated in Massachusetts nearly three-quarters of a
century ago. It is supposed to be a seedling of White Grape. Plants
vigorous and stocky; fruit large and of good quality, resembling White Grape in all characters.
De la Rochepoze. 1. Guide Prat. 23. 1895. 2. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 56:11. 1907. 3. Ohio Sta. Bul. 371:354. 1923.
Originated in France about 60 years ago. * Plants upright, vigorous,
unproductive; bunches medium to long, half-filled; berries of medium
size, pale pinkish white; very acid; quality poor.
Diploma. 1. U. S. D. A. Yearbook 378, PI. 32. 1909. 2. N. Y. Sta. Bul. 364:192. 1913. 3. CardBush-Fr. 305, PI. XL 1917. 4. Ohio Sta* Bui. 371:331,37$. 1923-
Long grown very commonly in New York, Diploma is now becoming a
favorite in other currant regions as well. The berries are as large as
those of the Cherry, considered to bear the largest fruits of any
currant, globular, bright rich crimson, and so transparent that the
seeds show plainly. The flesh is tender, abundantly juicy, slightly
subacid; the quality is good to very good. The variety may be
distinguished by its transparent skin and flesh. The fruits are so
juicy that they are especially desirable for jellies; for the same
reason the crop must be picked and handled with care. The plants are
satisfactory in every character. Diploma was originated by Jacob Moore,
Attica, New York, in 1885, as a seedling of Cherry crossed with White
Grape. Charles A. Green, Rochester, New York, secured control of the
stock and introduced it in 1906.
Plants medium to large,
vigorous, upright later becoming quite spreading, not very dense,
productive, healthy; young shoots numerous, stocky, rather brittle,
reddish brown, somewhat glossy; leaf-buds large, pointed, plump,
pubescent, free; leaves subcordate to truncate at the base, with obtuse
lobes, medium in thickness, size, and color, dull, rugose, glabrous,
with crenate margins; petiole medium in length and thickness, greenish,
pubescent. Flowers midseason, in rather dense, drooping, few- to
medium-flowered racemes; calyx-tube greenish, saucer-shaped, glabrous;
calyx-lobes obtuse, separated, glabrous, pale green tinged brown
beneath; petals much contracted at the base; ring well developed,
fleshy; ovary glabrous. Fruit midseason, period of ripening short;
clusters medium in length, filled poorly at the tips, loose, with
rather few berries to the cluster; cluster-stems average long and
slender but variable; berry-stems medium to long; berries large, round,
bright but light red which changes but slowly after picking; skin
smooth, thin, tender, very transparent, the segments, veins and seeds
unusually distinct; flesh semi-transparent, tender, very juicy,
sprightly subacid becoming mild; quality good to very good.
Dr. Brete. 1. Am. Agric. 28:458, fig. 1869.
Originated in France many years ago and imported to America about 1865
by a William S. Carpenter. Plants very productive; bunches long,
bearing fruit of largest size and excellent quality.
Early Scarlet. 1. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 56:11. 1907.
Originated by William Saunders, Ottawa, Canada. Plants moderately
vigorous, not very productive; bunches medium in length; berries medium
in size, red, mild, but pleasantly acid; good; early.
Eclipse. 1. N. Y. Sta. Bul. 95:419, PI. 1, fig. 2. 1895.
This variety was received for testing at this Station from H. S.
Anderson, Union Springs, New York, in 1892. The plants proved to be
vigorous, upright, productive; bunches large; berries variable, small
to large; skin thick, red; flesh tender, subacid; good; ripens unevenly.
Empire. 1. Rural N. Y. 57:123. 1898.
Origin unknown. Plants not hardy, productive; bunches small, with few fruits; berries large, dark red; good.
Everybody, 1. Lovett Cat. 8, fig. 1914.
Introduced about eleven years ago by J. T. Lovett, Little Silver, New
Jersey. As grown at this Station the plants are moderately vigorous,
productive; clusters variable, medium to short, well filled or with but
few berries, which are large, dark red, subacid and good in quality;
midseason.
Eyatt Nova. 1. Can. Cent Exp. Farm Bul. 56:14. 1907.
Of ancient origin. Plants moderately vigorous, upright, moderately
productive; bunches large, long, well filled; berries large, pale
yellowish white, acid; fair; midseason.
Fay. 1. Cult. et Count. Gent 45:440, 470. 1880. 2. N. Y. Sta. Bul. 95:419, fig. 4. 1895.
3. Ohio Sta. Bui 371:331, 367. 1923. Fay's Prolific. 4. Rural N. Y. 42:520. 1883.
Somewhat similar to Cherry and Diploma, just described, Fay is probably
a better sort the state over than either of these two, and by many is
rated as the best of all the large-fruited currants. Both the clusters
and berries are very large and very uniform, making the product very
attractive. The cluster-stems are long, and therefore harvesting is
easy. The berries are of darker red, as the color plate shows, than
many other of the red currants, are sprightly, juicy, and thin-skinned,
so that the fruits of this sort are about the best of all for canning
and jellies. The plants are not large, and the yield is not so heavy as
with some other varieties, so that unproductiveness is the chief
defect. In some localities the plants are subject to more of the ills
of the currant than other standard varieties. Yet, with these defects
it is and probably will long remain one of the leading commercial
currants. Fay is a seedling produced about 1868 by Lincoln Fay,
Portland, New York. It is thought to be a cross between Victoria and
Cherry. The variety was introduced by George S. Josselyn, Fredonia, New
York, in 1880. The American Pomo-logical Society added the sort to its
list of recommended fruits in 1883 under the name Fay's Prolific but in
1889 the name was shortened to Fay.
Plants of medium size
and productiveness, susceptible to anthracnose, vigorous, sprawling in
habit; young shoots numerous, stocky, break easily; leaf-buds small,
short, pointed, lean, slightly pubescent, appressed; leaves rather
large, cordate at the base, with broadly obtuse lobes, thick, dull,
rugose, glabrous, with crenate margins; petiole of medium length,
thick, greenish, pubescent. Flowers early, open before the leaves are
well out, in long, loose, drooping clusters; calyx-tube greenish brown,
saucer-shaped, glabrous; calyx-lobes obtuse, thin, greenish yellow;
ring very distinct, fleshy, red or brownish red; ovary glabrous. Fruit
early midseason; clusters large, medium to long, loose, with 12-15
berries, drooping; cluster-stems variable in length averaging long*
berry-stems medium to long; berries cling well, large, smaller at the
ends of the clusters, roundish, glossy, dark red; skin smooth, thin,
tough, translucent; flesh firm, juicy,, very sprightly becoming
pleasantly subacid; quality very good.
Filler. 1. Rural N. Y. 57:514. 1898. 2. Mich. Sta. Bul. 206:59. 1903. 3. Ohio Sta. Bul. 371:332, 368. 1923.
Introduced in the Hudson River Valley some years ago, Filler is now
long past the probationary period, and has found favor only in the
neighborhood of its introduction, and even there is now being grown less than formerly. The plants are not
productive, and the fruits are neither attractive in appearance nor
high in quality. The plants sprawl on the ground with great detriment
to the currants and to the vexation of the cultivator. Perhaps the
variety fails because of its being unmanageable in the plantation more
than for any other reason. Filler originated in the garden of George
Filler, Milton, New York, about 1892.
Plants dwarfish,
medium in vigor, upright-spreading becoming drooping with age, variable
in yield, healthy; young shoots medium in number; leaf-buds small,
short, pointed, nearly glabrous, appressed; leaves small to medium,
cordate at the base, with obtuse lobes, rugose, glabrous, with crenate
margins; petiole variable in length and thickness, very slightly
pubescent. Flowers midseason, above medium in size, in few-flowered,
drooping racemes, variable in compactness; calyx-tube greenish,
saucer-shaped, glabrous; calyx-lobes separated or occasionally
overlapping, obtuse, pale green with few red streaks; ring greenish,
well developed; ovary glabrous. Fruit midseason; clusters medium in
length, compact, 11-17 berries, drooping; cluster-stems of average
length and thickness; berry-stems long, slender; berries cling well,
roundish or somewhat oblate, medium to large, variable in size, glossy,
dark red; skin smooth, thin, tender, translucent; flesh firm,
moderately juicy, sprightly; quality good.
Franco-German. 1. III. Hort. Soc. Rpt. 158. 1898. 2. Roesch Cat. 8. 1898.
It is said by the introducer, Lewis Roesch, Fredonia, New York, that
this variety was originated by Lincoln Fay, Portland, New York, from
seed of Fay, about 1871. Mr. Fay stated that he gave his seedling the
name it bears because it originated during the Franco-German war. Some
writers are of the opinion that the variety is identical with Holland.
On the grounds of this Station, however, the plants have proved
identical with Prince Albert as other horticulturists have also
discovered.
Giant Red, 1. Crawford Cat. 1913. 2. Wis. Hort. Soc. Rpt. 128. 1913.
Originated from seed by E. P. Powell, Clinton, New York, and introduced
in 1912 by the M. Crawford Company, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. As grown at
this Station the plants are moderately vigorous, upright-spreading,
dwarfish, productive; clusters short, well filled; berries large,
glossy red, with juicy flesh, sprightly subacid; good; midseason.
Gloire de Sablons. 1. Mag. Hort. 24:375. 1858. 2. N. Y. Sta. Bul. 95:419. 1895. This is an inferior variety of the common red currant. As grown at this Station the plants are upright, vigorous, moderately productive; bunches short, small; berries small, white, striped with red, acid; poor.
Gloucester Red. 1. Tilton Jour. Hort. 9:188. 1871.
Plants low, stocky; bunches short; berries large, dark red, mild subacid; good.
Goegginger Pear-shaped Red. 1. Gard. Chron. 3rd Ser. 37:36. 1905. Red Pear-shaped. 2. Rural N. Y. 44:365. 1885. Goeggingers Pyrifortn. 3. Gard. Chron. 3rd Ser. 62:232. 1917.
This cultivated form of a wild pear-shaped currant found in western
Russia was raised by Heinrich Goegginger, a market gardener in Riga,
Russia, about 1875. In the wild state there are both red and white forms of these currants. Plants
moderately vigorous; foliage thick, peculiarly net-veined, deeply
lobed; berries of medium size, pear-shaped, attractive red, suitable
for table decorations besides being worthy of note for dessert and
preserving.
Gondouin Red. 1. Mag. Hort. 17:62. 1851, 2. Gard. Chron. 3rd Ser. 62:232. 1917.
Red Provence. 3. Horticulturist 2:266. 1847-48.
This variety was originated by M. Gondouin, St. Cloud, Prance, nearly a century ago. Both this and the white-fruited variety have frequently been designated as forming two distinct groups of currants from which cultivated sorts have arisen. The variety has also been confused with Victoria. From 1862 until 1871 the variety was included in the American Pomological Society's recommended fruit list. Plants very vigorous, upright, young shoots reddish; bunches medium in size; berries large, bright red; late.
Gondouin White. 1. Mag. Hort. 21:444. 1855. White Gondouin. 2. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 56:14. 1907.
This variety originated in France many years ago and is closely allied
to the red-fruited sort of the same name. It was cataloged in the
recommended list of the American Pomological Society from 1862 to 1871
and again from 1897 to date. Plants vigorous, upright, not always
productive; bunches of medium length, only partly filled; berries small
to medium, yellowish, briskly subacid; good; midseason.
Greenfield. 1. Can. Hort. 14:179. 1891.
Originated at Ottawa, Ontario, by Samuel Greenfield, about 40 years
ago. Plants vigorous, spreading, productive; bunches medium, well
filled; berries above medium in size, bright red, pleasantly acid;
good; midseason.
Hative de Bertin. 1. Soc. Nat. Hort. France Pom. 216. 1907. La Hative. 2. Horticulturist 10:69. 1855.
This variety originated with M. Bertin, Versailles, France, about 1825.
It was included in the American Pomological Society's list of
recommended fruits from 1869 to 1871. Plants productive; bunches well
filled; berries large, deep red, transparent, very sweet; good; early.
Holland. 1. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat. 18. 1897. 2. Card Bush-Fr. 307. 1917.
Groseille de Hollande. 3. Pom. France 8:No. 4, PI. 4. 1873. Long Bunch
Holland. 4. Cult. et Count. Gent. 42:444. 1877. 5. Ohio Sta. Bul. 37i:339,39i- 1923-
The origin of this variety is unknown. There seems to be little doubt,
however, but that it is a very old European currant. It has been known
by many names most of which have been directly connected with some
characteristic of fruit-clusters or berries. As grown at this Station
the variety is very similar or identical with Prince Albert so that a
further description is unnecessary.
Indiana. 1. Card Bush-Fr. 307. 1917. 2. Ohio Sta. Bul. 371:355. 1923.
This variety originated on the farm of J. E. Shideler, Fairview Park,
Indianapolis, Indiana, between 1890 and 1900. It was introduced about
1901 but was never widely disseminated and has long since been dropped from cultivation, giving way to Pomona, a variety which it closely resembles.
Knight Early Red. 1. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 204. 1845.
A red currant raised long ago by Thomas Andrew Knight, Downton Castle,
Wiltshire, England. Its chief merit seems to be earliness.
Knight Improved. 1. la. Hort. Soc. Rpt. 33, 58. 1897.
Origin unknown. Mentioned frequently in the Iowa Horticultural Society
Report for 1897 as a very vigorous, productive currant bearing fruit of
largest size and good quality. The variety has often been confused with
Pomona, which it closely resembles.
Knight Large Red. 1. Card. Chron. 857. 1842. 2. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat. 94. 1862.
Raised by Thomas Andrew Knight early in the nineteenth century. In 1862
the American Pomological Society placed it in the list of recommended
fruits, but dropped it in 1897. Plants vigorous, productive; bunches
large; berries large, bright red.
Knight Sweet Red, 1. Gard. Chron. 817. 1841. 2. Puller Sm. Fr. Cult. 207. 1867. 3. Bunyard Cat. 24. 1921.
Another of Thomas Andrew Knight's seedlings raised early in the
nineteenth century. Being less acid than most sorts, it is a pleasant
dessert fruit. Plants upright, vigorous, moderately productive, with
dark green, thick and coarsely serrate foliage; bunches long, tapering;
berries large, very dark red, subacid, with trace of sweetness; good.
La Caucasse. 1. Elliott Fr. Book 236. 1859. 2. Horticulturist 18:290. 1862.
Probably originated in France three-quarters of a century ago. Some
pomologists consider it identical with Versailles. Plants vigorous,
upright, productive; bunches very long; berries large, red, sprightly,
becoming mildly acid; good.
La Conde. 1. Can. Cent Exp. Farm Bul. 56:12. 1907.
A strong, moderately spreading grower; fairly productive; bunches of
medium size, well filled; berries medium to large, bright scarlet,
acid; fair.
La Constante. 1. Gard. Chron. 3rd Ser. 62:232. 1917.
Origin unknown. Although similar to Ruby, this variety is considered
distinct by E. A. Bunyard, Maidstone, England, and is rated as one of
the latest and best of the red currants. Plants vigorous, very upright;
bunches moderately long; berries bright red; very late.
Lace-leaved. 1. Hogg Fruit Man. 319. 1884.
Similar if not identical to Knight Large Red. Bunches long, produced in
large clusters; berries large, red, smaller than Red Dutch.
Lakewood. 1. Mich. Sta. Bui 67:19. 1890.
Supposed to have originated in Ohio prior to 1890. Plants vigorous,
variable in productiveness; bunches variable in length, usually
compact; berries large; fair in quality; type of Cherry.
Lancaster. 1. Mich. Sta. Bui 177:28. 1899.
Mentioned as a white currant of good quality but only moderately productive. 19
Large White. 1. Can. Exp. Farms Rpt. 405. 1898.
Plants vigorous, productive; bunches long, well filled; fruit large, yellowish white, sweet; good; midseason.
Large White Brandenburg. 1. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 56:14. 1907.
Plants of medium vigor, upright-spreading, moderately productive;
bunches long, usually only half filled; berries above medium to large,
yellow, briskly subacid, with a pleasant flavor; good; early.
Late Victoria. 1. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt. 288. 1921.
Introduced by Gill Brothers Seed Company, Portland, Oregon. It is described as having large, long bunches of red fruit.
London Market. 1. U. S. D. A. Pom, Rpt 395. 1891. 2. Rural N. Y. 56:327. 1897. 3. Ohio Sta. Bul. 371:338, 386. 1923.
Short-bunched Red. 4. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 491. 1869. London Red. 5. Mich. Sta. Bul. 129:15. 1896. Scotch. 6. Bunyard Cat. 23. 1915-16.
Of little importance in New York and the East, London Market is
considered a very good red currant in parts of the Middle West. It
seems to withstand hot, dry weather rather better than most other
sorts, and the plants are resistant to currant borers and currant
diseases. It is said to be the most resistant of all red currants to
the pine blister-rust. At this Station, however, the foliage is very
susceptible to currant aphis. This variety probably originated in
England many years ago and is possibly identical with Scotch mentioned
by English writers. It was imported to the United States more than
seventy years ago and has been grown under various names. There seems
to be no doubt but that London Red and Short-bunched Red are identical
with this variety. In 1897 the variety was added to the recommended
fruit list of the American Pomological Society.
Plants
large, vigorous, upright, holding their foliage well, dense, fairly
productive, quite resistant to insects and disease, especially to the
white pine blister-rust; young shoots very numerous, slender; leaf-buds
small, short, pointed, lean, lightly pubescent, usually appressed;
leaves medium in size and color, subcordate to cordate at the base,
with very shallow, obtuse lobes, thin, rugose, glabrous, with crenate
margins; petiole medium in length, slender, pubescent, greenish.
Flowers midseason, in loose, somewhat erect, short racemes; calyx-tube
greenish, broadly campanulate, glabrous; calyx-lobes obtuse, greenish,
with fine, reddish stripes; ring lacking or very indistinct;
anther-cells closely joined; ovary glabrous. Fruit late midseason,
hangs a long time; clusters nearly long, medium compact, the tips well
filled, 12-20 berries, held out rather stiffly; cluster-stems medium in
length and thickness; berry-stems slender; berries above medium to
medium in size, average round-oblate but variable, glossy dark red;
skin smooth, thin, tough, translucent; flesh firm, juicy, sprightly;
quality good.
Marvin Crystal. 1. Ohio Sta. Bul. 371:357. 1923. Marvin's Seedling. 2, N. Y. Sta. Bul. 95:427. 1895.
This variety was received at the New York Experiment Station for
testing in 1892 from D. S. Marvin, Watertown, New York. Later Mr.
Marvin sold the variety to J. C. Vaughan et Company, Chicago, Illinois, who renamed and introduced it.
Plants upright, moderately vigorous; bunches moderately long; berries
large, white,, mildly acid; good.
Moore Early. 1. Bunyard Cat. 26. 1923. Moore Seedling, 2. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 36:12. 1907. 3. Ohio Sta. But. 371:357. 1923.
Originated by Jacob Moore, Attica, New York, about 40 years ago
probably as a cross between Cherry and White Grape. Plants vigorous,
upright, productive; bunches well filled, of medium length; berries
large, bright scarlet, pleasantly acid; good; midseason.
New Victoria. 1. Ont. Fr. Exp. Sta. Rpt. 19, fig. 1900.
Origin unknown. Plants vigorous, upright-spreading, hardy, moderately
productive; bunches long, loose; berries small to medium, red;
pleasantly flavored; midseason.
Newark. 1. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt. 288. 1921.
Introduced by C. W. Stuart et Company, Newark, New York. Plants
vigorous, productive; bunches long; berries above medium in size, red,
subacid.
North Star. 1. N. Y. Sta. Bul. 95:421, PI. II, fig. 7. 1895. 2. Gard. Chron. 3rd Ser. 62:217. 1917.
An accidental seedling which originated in Springfield, Massachusetts,
shortly before 1865. The variety was sold to the Jewell Nursery
Company, Lake City, Minnesota, who introduced it. In 1899 the American
Pomological Society placed it in the list of recommended fruits. As
grown at this Station the plants are vigorous, upright, slightly
spreading, productive; bunches medium in length; berries variable,
large and small, bright scarlet, mildly acid; fair; midseason.
October Red. 1. Country Gent. 77:14. 1912. 2. Ohio Sta. Bul. 371:357. 1923.
Originated by E. P. Powell, Clinton, New York, early in the present
century. It is an attractive red currant which received its name
because of its lateness in ripening.
Pack. 1. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt. 288. 1921.
Introduced recently by the Utah Nursery Company, Salt Lake City, Utah.
It is said to be " an improvement upon Pay, which it resembles; more
prolific, however; very large, better flavor. Fruit does not fall off
as in other varieties."
Palmer Large Red. 1. Horticulturist 9:161. 1854.
Extensively cultivated in certain localities in England. Plants vigorous, productive; bunches long; berries large, red; good.
Panshanger Late. 1. Staward Pract. Hdy. Fr. Cult. 79, PL 1920.
Originated a few years ago by Richard Staward of England. Plants
vigorous, productive; fruit large, in well-filled bunches, red;
good; late.
Perfection, 1. U. S. D. A. Yearbook 404, PL 54. 1904. 2. N. Y. Sta. Bul. 364:192. 1913. 3. Ohio Sta. BuL 371:342, 371. 1923.
Of the several new currants, perhaps Perfection is receiving more
notice in New York than any other. It is credited with being a splendid
sort in parts of the Northwest as well. The characters which commend it
are vigor, hardiness, healthfulness, and productiveness of plant. The clusters are large, uniform, and borne on a long
stem so that picking is easy. The berries are large, uniform, bright
clear red, and are as pleasing in flavor as those of any other variety
and superior to those of most other currants. The fruit is borne on the
old wood in a manner peculiar to this sort alone. In Canada it is found
to be one of the hardiest of all currants. The canes have the fault of
breaking rather easily. The fruits scald considerably in hot weather if
not picked as soon as ripe. This variety was originated in 1887 by C.
G. Hooker, Rochester, New York, as a cross between Fay and White Grape.
Its commercial introduction dates from 1902 and in 1909 the sort was
placed in the American Pomological Society's fruit list.
Plants seldom large, vigorous, upright-spreading, not very dense,
healthy, productive to very productive; young shoots few, smoother than
Wilder, duller and with less red than Cherry, break rather easily;
leaf-buds short and plump, small to medium, variable in length and
shape, nearly glabrous, appressed; leaves medium in size, subcordate at
the base, with obtuse lobes, the terminal lobe very large, dull,
rugose, glabrous, with crenate margins; petiole green with tinge of
red, pubescent. Flowers early, large, in long, loose, drooping racemes;
calyx-tube greenish, saucer-shaped, glabrous; calyx-lobes obtuse, thin,
glabrous, yellowish green, with trace of red; stamens with a broad
connective between the anther-cells; ring well developed, fleshy,
greenish; ovary glabrous. Fruit early midseason, easily picked, ships
well; clusters long to very long, compact, cylindrical, slightly
tapering, with well-filled tips, 15-25 berries, drooping; cluster-stems
very long, slender to medium; berry-stems long, medium in thickness;
berries uniformly large, cling well, roundish or slightly oblate,
bright handsome medium to dark red; skin smooth, thin but tough; flesh
juicy, tender, sprightly subacid becoming mild when fully ripe;
pleasantly flavored; quality very good.
Pitmaston Sweet Red, 1. Horticulturist 9:162. 1854. 2. Ohio Sta. Bul. 371:357. 1923.
Raised by John Williams, Pitmaston, near Worcester, England. Bunches
short; berries small, red; very sweet; not unlike Knight Sweet Red.
Pomona. 1. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat. 28. 1909. 2, Ohio Sta. Bul. 371:343, 375. 1923.
About 1873, George W. Blue found in a garden, near Fairview Park,
Indianapolis, Indiana, a variety which was then being grown as Knight
Sweet Red but which he found to be distinct. He named it Pomona after
the name of his home farm. The variety was introduced in 1896 by
Albertson et Hobbs, Bridgeport, Indiana. In 1909 the American
Pomological Society added Pomona to its list of recommended fruits.
Plants moderately large, vigorous, spreading, productive; bunches long,
well filled; berries of medium size, bright red, juicy, mildly acid;
good; midseason.
Prince Albert. 1. Horticulturist 9:9, 10, fig. 2. 1854. 2. Bunyard Cat. 23. 1915-16.
3. Ohio Sta. Bui 371:344, 393. 1923. Rouge de Hollande. 4. Ann. Pom.
Beige 3:82. 1855. Holldndische Korallenbeere. 5. Dochnahl Fuhr.
Obstkunde 4:188. 1860. Rothe von Verriere. 6. Lucas-Oberdieck III.
Handb. Obst. 7:271. 1875. Rivers Late Red. 7. Rivers Cat. 19. 1898-99.
Prince Coral. 1, Rural N.Y. 10:255. 1859.
Of American origin. Introduced by William R. Prince et Company,
Flushing, New York, about 1860. It is a very productive soft bearing
large attractive red fruit of excellent quality.
Purity. 1. Rural AT. Y. 57=123. 1898.
Introduced by John Lewis Childs, Floral Park, New York. Plants low
growing and sprawling; fruit yellowish white; not equal to the White
Transparent either in quality or productiveness.
Rankins Red. 1. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 56:13. 1907.
Origin unknown. Plants vigorous, upright, very productive; bunches
long, well filled; berries medium in size, bright scarlet, acid; fair;
midseason.
Red Cross. 1. Am. Gard. 17:4,441, fig. 6. 1896. 2. Can. Hort. 19:226, 282. 1896. 3. Ohio Sta. Bul. 371:344, 378. 1923.
Some years ago Red Cross was much grown in the Hudson River Valley
where it was esteemed for its large bunches arid large fruits. In
recent years, however, it has been found that it is excelled by several
other of the large-fruited sorts and is now passing out of cultivation.
Perhaps the chief drawback to its culture is that the fruits crack very
readily.
To offset this fault they hang on the bushes well and are easily
picked. The berries are very mild in flavor and do not make a good
jelly, for which purpose currants are so commonly used. In many
localities the bunches run small. This variety originated as a cross
between Cherry and White Grape by Jacob Moore, Attica, New York, in
1885, and first fruited about 1889. The American Pomological Society
added Red Cross to its fruit catalog list in 1899.
Plants
large, vigorous, upright-spreading, dense, productive, healthy; young
shoots numerous; leaf-buds large, medium long, pointed, rather plump,
pubescent, free; leaves of medium size, deeply cordate at the base,
with shallow, obtuse lobes, medium in thickness and color, dull,
rugose, glabrous, with slightly hairy, crenate margins; petiole medium
in length and thickness, green, with slight tinge of red, pubescent.
Flowers midseason, in long, drooping racemes variable in compactness;
calyx-tube pale green, saucer-shaped, glabrous; calyx-lobes obtuse,
widely separated, pale green; ring fleshy, well defined; ovary
glabrous. Fruit midseason, hangs on the bushes well, easy to pick;
clusters short to above medium, the tips poorly filled, loose;
cluster-stems long, slender to medium; berry-stems long; berries medium
to large, round, glossy, bright light red; skin smooth, thin, tender,
cracks under unfavorable conditions, translucent; flesh juicy,
sprightly becoming mildly flavored when fully ripe; quality good.
Red Dutch. 1. Langley Pomona 124. 1729. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 203.
1845. 3. Gard. Chron. N. S. 5:527. 1876. 4. Ohio Sta. But. 371:345,
373, fig. 1923. Groseillier a Gros Fruit Rouge. 5. Duhamel Trait. Arb. Fr. 1:266. 1768. Fertile de Palnau. 6. Horticulturist 7:425. 1852. HoUandische Rote.
7. Lucas-Oberdieck III. Handb. Obst. 7:268. 1875.
This old sort is now mainly of historical importance only, although it
is to be found in almost countless numbers in the gardens of the
country. It is little grown in New York or other parts of the East in
commercial plantations, but is still somewhat largely grown in the
Middle West. The plants are nearly faultless, but the currants are
small and ripen ununiformly, to offset which they are of the very best
quality. While there are many synonyms, the true Red Dutch is easily
identified from the description which follows. This is one of the
oldest if not the oldest cultivated currant known. The name has
appeared in print for more than two centuries, but no one can be quite
certain that the Red Dutch grown today is the Red Dutch of two
centuries ago. It is somewhat difficult, also, to connect HoUandische
Rote of continental Europe with the Red Dutch now grown in England and
America. The currant, long grown in America under the name Fertile de
Palnau, is probably Red Dutch. The two have proved identical at this
Station as well as in many other localities here and abroad. Red Dutch
was added to the American Pomological Society's list of recommended
fruits in 1852.
Plants large, vigorous, upright, dense,
productive to very productive, healthy; young shoots very numerous,
comparatively slender; leaf-buds small, pointed, lean, nearly glabrous,
appressed; leaves medium in size, length, and thickness, subcordate to
almost truncate at the base, with short-pointed lobes, dull, dark
green, glabrous, rugose, with crenate margins; petiole medium in length
and thickness, greenish, pubescent. Flowers early, in fairly long,
moderately loose, drooping, many-flowered racemes; calyx-tube greenish, saucer-shaped, glabrous; calyx-lobes obtuse, separate, pale yellowish
green; ring fleshy, rather inconspicuous; ovary glabrous. Fruit early
midseason; clusters long, slender, 10-18 berries, with well-filled
tips, very loose; cluster-stems long, slender; berry-stems rather
short, slender; berries cling well, variable in size, average medium to
small, round, bright glossy red; skin smooth, medium in thickness,
tender, translucent; flesh juicy, firm, very sprightly; quality of the
best.
Red Grape. 1. Horticulturist 9:11. 1854.
Introduced early in the nineteenth century. Similar to Red Dutch but
more acid and plants not quite so upright. Fruit large; branches very
long, clear red; productive. Listed by the American Pomological Society
in its recommended list of fruits in 1862; the name still appears in
the Society's catalog.
Redpath Ruby. 1. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 56:13. 1907.
Plants moderately vigorous; fruit medium to large, scarlet, acid; good.
Ringens. 1. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 56:13. 1907.
Plants moderately vigorous, spreading, unproductive; bunches long, well
filled; berries large, pale scarlet, pleasantly acid; good; late.
Rivers. 1. U. S. D. A. Farmers' Bui 1024:31. 1919. Rivers' Late Red. 2. Rivers Cat. 19. 1898-99.
Originated in England about thirty-five years ago. Plants vigorous, upright; bunches large; berries large, red; good; late.
Rouge de Boulogne. 1. Gard. Chron. 3rd Ser. 62:217. 1917.
This variety originated in France more than half a century ago. As
grown in England it resembles Versailles closely, though inferior in
most characters.
Ruby. x. Gard. Mon. 24:18. 1882. 2. Card Bush-Fr. 385. 1898. Moore Ruby. 3. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 56:12. 1907.
Originated by Jacob Moore, Attica, New York, and introduced about 1895.
As grown at this Station the plants are dwarfish, upright, moderately
vigorous and productive; bunches short; berries of medium size, round,
dark red, with firm flesh, juicy, sprightly; good; early.
St. Gilles. !
Am. Pom. Soc. Cat. 26. 1899. Belle de St. Gilles. 2. Rural N. Y. 10:255. 1859-
Of European origin. Plants upright-spreading, vigorous, hardy,
unproductive; bunches large, compact; berries large, red, subacid;
good; midseason. Placed in the American Pomological Society's list of
recommended fruits in 1899.
Scarlet Gem. 1. Mich. Sta. Bul. 206:60. 1903. Scarlet. 2. Kenrick Am. Orch. 287. 1841.
Plants dwarf, coarse, and sparsely covered with foliage; bunches long,
well filled with small, subacid, pleasantly flavored fruits.
Seedless Red. 1. Rural N. Y. 10:255. 1859. 2. Gard. Chron. 3rd Ser. 62:232. 1917.
This variety was found many years ago by Herrn Petzold, Hessen, Germany. Usually the seeds do not form so that only the soft unfertilized ovules remain.
Plants dwarfish, unproductive; bunches long; berries large, dark red, glossy, seedless or nearly so; fair; midseason.
Select 1. Mich. Sia. Bui 118:20. 1895.
A red currant of the Cherry type; somewhat lacking in vigor and
productiveness; clusters compact; berries large; quality fair. Silver
Mine. 1. Card Bush-Fr. 309. 1917.
Introduced by the
Gardner Nursery Company, Osage, Iowa. Described " as prolific, large,
red, of fine flavor, holding its leaves and fruit very late."
Simcoe King. 1. Can. Exp. Farm Rpt. 82. 1899. 2. Can. Cent. Exp. Farms Bul. 56: 13. 1907.
Similar to Red Grape. Plants of moderate vigor, upright, productive;
bunches medium in size, only half filled; berries large, bright to pale
scarlet, acid; good; midseason.
Skinner Early. 1. Bunyard Cat. 23. 1915-16.
An English currant, esteemed in Kent for market,
and named after a local grower, although it may quite possibly be an
old sort renamed. Plants vigorous, upright, productive; bunches long;
berries of medium size, bright red; good; earliest of all.
Southwell
Red. 1. Garden 84:557, fig. 1920.
Presumably a variety of
comparatively recent English origin. Described as one of the most
productive of English currants, blooming late, thereby escaping spring
frosts and producing a crop when many sorts fail. Besides these
favorable attributes its fine appearance makes it popular with English
growers for market. Fruit very large, uniform in size, bright glossy
red; good; late.
Stevens Superb. 1. Am. Pom. Soc. Sp. Rpt. 80. 1904-05.
This variety originated with Abel F. Stevens, Wellesley, Massachusetts,
who considered it one of the best seedlings he had grown. Plants very
vigorous and productive; bunches long, shouldered; berries very large,
crimson, attractive; Very good. Stewart. 1. Minn. Hort. Soc. Rpt 93.
1876.
Originated in Minnesota. Plants upright, vigorous,
hardy, productive: bunches large, long; berries large, red, mildly
acid; good; midseason; hangs well after ripening.
Utrecht. 1. Bunyard Cat 23. 1915-16.
The name of this variety would indicate
that it originated in Utrecht, Holland. Plants vigorous, upright;
bunches medium in size; berries medium, dark red; good; midseason.
Versailles. 1. Ohio Sta. Bui 37*:337] 372. 1923. La Versaillaise. 2. Mag. Hort. 24:374. 1858. Magnum Bonum.
3. Rural N. Y. 10:255. I^59- Versaillaise. 4. Ibid. 11:247, fig. 1860. S+ Card. Chron. 3d Ser. 62:217, fig. 83. 1917.
At one time about the best of the currants grown in New York and the
East, Versailles has now given way to newer and better currants. The
plants lack in productiveness and the clusters are not large enough or
uniform enough to suit the demands of present markets. There is much
confusion in the group of currants to which Versailles belongs, and it
is very difficult to distinguish it from Cherry and other
representatives of the same group. At this Station Versailles has a longer bunch, darker fruit, and less
tendency to "-go blind/' that is, to lack the terminal bud, than
Cherry. Versailles was originated by M. Bertin. Versailles, France,
presumably from seed of Cherry, about 1835. The variety was brought to
America nearly three-quarters of a century ago. In 1862 the American
Pomological Society added it to its list of recommended fruits.
Plants vigorous, large, upright to spreading, healthy; young shoots
numerous, with a tendency to " go blind "near the terminal, rather
thick and somewhat brittle; leaf-buds medium in size and length,
pointed, lean, glabrous, appressed; leaves medium to large, with obtuse
lobes, deeply cordate at the base, medium in thickness and color, dull,
rugose, glabrous, with crenate margins; petiole of average length and
thickness, green, pubescent. Flowers early midseason, in long,
few-flowered, loose, drooping clusters; calyx-tube green, with faint
red, saucer-shaped, glabrous; calyx-lobes broadly obtuse, pale green,
with very slight red; petals often notched; ring well developed,
fleshy, greenish. Fruit early mid-season; clusters short to medium,
loose, 10-16 berries, drooping; cluster-stems short to medium, slender;
berry-stems medium to rather long, slender; berries variable in size,
medium to large, found, dark red; skin smooth, thin, tough,
translucent; flesh very juicy, subacid to sprightly; quality good.
Victoria. 1. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 491. 1869. May's Victoria. 2. Card. Chron. 607. 1842. 3. Mag. Hort. 13:392, fig. 32. 1847. Houghton Castle.
4. Card. Chron. 717. 1847. S+ Tbid. 3rd Ser. 62:205. I9I7- Raby Castle. 6. Card. Chron. 619. 1847. 7. Ibid. 3rd Ser. 62:205. I9I7- Queen Victoria.
8, Gard. Chron. 812. 1860. Red Grape. 9. Horticulturist 21:273. 1866, Wilmofs Red Grape. 10. Thomas Am. Fruit Cult. 537. 1875-85. New Red Dutch.
11. Bunyard Cat. 22. 1915-16. ;
Were it not for the fact that the berries are small and ripen rather
unevenly, Victoria would hold high rank among cultivated currants. The
plants are exceedingly vigorous and productive, and the fruits are
among the best in quality and possibly keep longer on the bushes than
those of any other variety. The plants are rather more resistant to
currant borers than those of other varieties, and are very free from
most other insects and diseases as well; they are, however, susceptible
to scalding in hot weather. In Canada it is found that Victoria is
hardier than most other standard currants. The variety has the
peculiarity of holding its foliage very late in the fall. More
confusion exists in the identity of this currant than with almost any
other sort. So many varieties have been sold under the various names
appearing above that it is almost hopeless to straighten out the
tangle. From various accounts it appears that the variety originated
about 1800 on an estate knqwn as Houghton Castle, near Hexam,
Northumberland, England, having been discovered by Robert Charlton, a
nurseryman's apprentice. Charlton later sold the new currant under the
name Houghton Castle.. About 1840, a Mr. May, Ripon, Yorkshire,
England, advertised a currant under the name May's Victoria, which he
had procured from gardens at Raby Castle, and which had been known
there as Raby Castle. Later Mr. May identified his Victoria with
Charlton's Houghton Castle and upon investigation found that the
Houghton Castle had once been sent to Raby Castle, where it had been
renamed. While Bunyard, in the reference given, is of the opinion that Raby Castle and
Houghton Castle or Victoria are distinct, the writers believe that they
are identical. In 1852 the American Pomological Society placed this
variety in its list of recommended fruits under the name May's
Victoria, but later shortened the name to Victoria.
Plants very large, very vigorous, upright, dense, productive to very
productive, susceptible to anthracnose but resistant to most other
diseases; young shoots very numerous, grayish brown; leaf-buds large,
rather long, pointed, plump, very heavily pubescent, bluish gray, free;
leaves slow in dropping in the fall, medium to large, subcordate to
truncate at the base, with very obtuse lobes, medium in thickness, pale
green, dull, rugose, glabrous, with crenate margins; petiole medium in
length and thickness, green, pubescent. Flowers midseason, in rather
dense, drooping racemes; calyx-tube greenish, broadly campanulate,
glabrous; calyx-lobes very obtuse, widely separated, glabrous, striped
and streaked with red; petals much contracted at the base; ring absent;
anther-cells separated by a large connective; ovary glabrous. Fruit
late midseason, hangs a long time; clusters short to medium, rilled to
the tip, 10-20 berries, rather loose; cluster-stems short to medium,
slender; berry-stems slender; berries small, medium in size, adhere a
long time, roundish oblate, bright, glossy red; skin smooth, thin,
tough, translucent; flesh juicy, firm, very sprightly; quality good.
Warner Red Grape. 1. Tilton Jour. Hort. 9:188. 1871. 2. Gard. Chron. 3rd Ser. 62: 217. 1917.
Very similar to Chenonceau but with shorter bunches. A poor cropper of little merit.
Wentworth Leviathan. 1. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bui 56:14. 1907.
A strong moderately spreading grower, rather unproductive; bunches of
medium size, about two-thirds filled; berries varying from small to
large, pale yellow, briskly subacid, with a pleasant flavor; good;
midseason.
Wentworth Seedling. 1. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 56:14. 1907.
Plants moderately vigorous, spreading, unproductive; bunches of medium
length, half filled; berries of medium size, bright scarlet, pleasantly
acid; good; midseason.
Werder White. 1. Meehans* Mon. 6:97, fig. 1896.
Originated by William Kleim at Gotha, near Erfurt, Germany. It yields
long bunches of large, attractive white fruit.
White Cherry. 1. Gard.
Chron. 193. 1841. 2. Can. Cent. Exp. Farm Bul. 56:14. 1907.
A strong, upright, very productive grower, yielding medium-sized,
well-filled bunches of berries which are large, pale yellow, acid and
of fair quality; season early.
White Dutch. 1. Langly Pomona 124. 1729. 2. Lindley Guide Orch. Gard. 160. 1831. 3. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 492. 1869.
Groseillier a Gros Fruit Blanc. 4. Duhamel Trait. Arb. Fr. 1:266. 1768.
White Chrystal. 5. Lindley Guide Orch. Gard. 160. 1831. Pearl White. 6.
Lond. Hort. Soc. Cat. 67. 1842. Blanche de Hollande. 7. Gard. Chron.
812. 1860. White Clinton. 8. Horticulturist 21:273. 1866. White
Antwerp. 9. Thomas Am. Fruit Cult. 537. 1875-85.
This is the oldest of the named white currants, has several synonyms,
and is badly confused with other white varieties. Careful reading of
the following description, however, should enable anyone to identify
it. The darker color of the fruit is possibly the best distinguishing
mark. The fruits are very early and very sweet, other characters which
help to identify it. The berries are of but medium size or small, and
are not uniform in size, characters which will drive it from general
cultivation in competition with larger-berried sorts. White Dutch is a
very old, European variety, dating back more than two centuries. In the
literature, however, there can be found no account of its origin or the
history of its dissemination. White Dutch together with Red Dutch long
ago were largely used in the improvement and development of varieties
of currants. The variety was probably brought to America early in the
nineteenth century and has since been grown in most currant
plantations. In 1852 the American Pomological Society placed White
Dutch in its list of fruits recommended for general cultivation.
Plants above medium in size, vigorous, upright, slightly spreading,
dense, very productive, healthy; young shoots numerous; leaf-buds
small, pointed, lean, nearly glabrous, appressed; leaves medium in
size, subcordate to almost truncate at the base, with obtuse lobes,
dark green, rugose, glabrous, with somewhat serrate margins; petiole
medium in length and thickness, greenish, tinged red at the base,
pubescent. Flowers midseason, in short, dense, drooping medium- to
few-flowered racemes; calyx-tube greenish, saucer-shaped, glabrous;
calyx-lobes broadly obtuse, separated, glabrous, pale green; ring
lacking or very faint; ovary glabrous. Fruit early; clusters short,
medium compact, tips poorly filled, 8-15 berries; cluster-stems medium
in length and thickness; berry-stems short, slender; berries small to
medium, not uniform, roundish oblate, yellowish white, a little darker
than White Grape; skin smooth, thin, tender, translucent; flesh
moderately juicy, mildly subacid, almost sweet; quality excellent;
seeds large, medium in number.
White Grape. 1. Trans. N.
Y. State Agr. Soc. 9:373. 1849. 2* Cultivator'$rd Ser. 5: 13, fig-
1857. 3. Gard. et For. 7:188. 1894. Imperial Yellow. 4. Horticulturist 21:273. 1866.
White Grape is distinguished from other varieties of its kind by having
the largest cluster and berry of any. The currants are rather lighter
in color than those of White Dutch, are sourer and not so richly
flavored. Possibly this variety is the best of the white currants
because of the vigor, productiveness, hardiness, and healthiness of the
plant. The variety is an excellent one for both home and commercial
plantations, although its spreading habit of growth, making it somewhat
unmanageable, is somewhat against it. The slenderness of the canes help
to identify the variety. No trace of the history of this sort is
obtainable except that it is an old European variety long grown in
America. There is also no clue as to when it was brought to this
country, but the literature leads us to believe that it was much
cultivated at least a hundred years ago. The nomenclature is in a bad
state of confusion, and the variety has been often mixed with White
Imperial and White Transparent. In 1852 the American Pomological
Society added White Grape to its catalog list of recommended currants.
Plants of medium size and vigor, spreading, sometimes sprawling, dense,
productive; young shoots numerous, rather slender; leaf-buds large,
long, pointed, plump, pubescent, free; leaves subcordate to cordate at the base, with obtuse lobes, dark
green, at first tinged with brown, dull, rugose, heavily pubescent
beneath, with crenate margins; petiole medium in thickness and length,
green, tinged with red. Flowers midseason, very small, very light
green, in rather short, dense, drooping racemes; calyx-tube greenish,
saucer-shaped, glabrous; calyx-lobes obtuse, very widely separated,
broad, medium in length and thickness, glabrous; petals much
contracted; ring greenish, fleshy; ovary glabrous. Fruit mid-season;
clusters long, the tips poorly filled, loose, 8-16 berries;
cluster-stems short; berry-stems slender, long; berries variable in
size averaging large, round-ovate, clear translucent yellowish white,
less creamy than is White Dutch; skin smooth, thin, tender; flesh firm,
juicy, pleasantly subacid; quality good.
White Imperial.
1. Rural N. Y. 56:487. 1897. 2. Card Bush-Fr. 311. 1917. 3. Ohio Sta. Bul. 371:335, 382. 1923.
This variety may usually be told
from other white currants by its darker color caused from the large
dark colored seeds showing through flesh and skin. Its currants are
usually rated as best in quality of all the white sorts. The rich,
sweet flavor makes it a choice dessert fruit, although the currants are
not quite as attractive in appearance as those of some other kinds. It
is often confused with White Grape with which it has many
characteristics in common. The origin of this variety is unknown but it
has long been known in America and has repeatedly been confused with
White Grape which it closely resembles except that the berries are much
sweeter. Its rather wide dissemination was due to the high
recommendation given it 30 years ago by the late S. D. Willard, Geneva,
New York.
Plants above medium in size and vigor, broad,
spreading, open, productive; young shoots numerous, slender; leaf-buds
large, long, plump, pointed, pubescent, free; leaves large, thin,
rugose, dark green, lightly bronzed at first, with coarsely crenate to
serrate margins; petiole rather slender, green, lightly tinged with
red. Flowers midseason, in short, dense, drooping racemes; calyx-tube
greenish, saucer-shaped, glabrous; calyx-lobes broadly obtuse,
separated but slightly, glabrous; ring greenish, fleshy; ovary
glabrous. Fruit midseason; clusters medium to long, the tips poorly
filled, rather loose, 8-16 berries; cluster-stems rather long, medium
in thickness; berry-stems slender, medium long; berries somewhat
variable in size averaging medium to large, roundish, sometimes
slightly ovate, creamy white, a shade darker than White Grape; skin
smooth, thin, tender; flesh firm, juicy, pleasantly subacid to sweet;
quality very good to best. White Pearl. 1. Mag. Hort. 17:217. 1851.
This variety was raised by Remi Wilquet, near Brussels, Belgium, more
than half a century ago. Plants moderately vigorous, upright-spreading,
unproductive; bunches large, well filled; berries large, pale yellow,
briskly subacid; good; midseason.
White Provence. 1. Rural N. Y.
10:255. l859- Plants very vigorous, productive; leaves
large, thick, considerably edged with white; bunches short; berries
very large, yellowish white; good; not unlike White Grape except in
foliage.
White Transparent. 1. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat. 94. 1862. 2.
Horticulturist 21:273. 1866.
This is an old French sort
said to be a seedling of White Grape with which it is always confused.
It resembles that variety so closely that the two readily pass for one
and a further description is unnecessary. The variety was listed in the
American Pomological Society's fruit catalog from 1862 to 1871.
White Versailles. 1. Gard. Mon. 25:47. 1883. 2. N. Y. Sia. Bul. 95:428. 1895. 3. Bunyard Cat. 23. 1915-16.
Originated nearly half a century ago by M. Bertin, Versailles, France.
Plants vigorous, upright; bunches long; berries large, slightly darker
than White Grape, juicy; good.
White Wine. 1. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt. 162. 1920.
Introduced by H. W. Buckbee, Rockford, Illinois. Plants hardy,
vigorous, productive; clusters longer and fruit larger than White
Grape, sweet and rich.
Wilder. 1. N. Y. Sia. Bul. 95:424. 1895. 2. Ohio Sta. Bul. 371:351, 380. 1923. President Wilder. 3. Rural N. Y. 56:487. 1897.
Probably Wilder is now the leading commercial currant in the Hudson
River Valley and the Lake Erie grape belt where currants are most
commonly grown for commercial purposes in New York. It is a seedling of
Versailles which it greatly surpasses in vigor and productiveness and
in the size and beauty of its fruits. The plants are very free from
insects and diseases and are most satisfactory in all characters. The
fruits sometimes lack uniformity in size of both berry and cluster, to
offset which fault they have long stems, making picking easy, and hang
longer after ripening than those of most other commercial varieties.
Wilder is a seedling of Versailles and was originated by E. Y. Teas,
Irvington, Indiana, about 1877. It was named President Wilder in honor
of Marshall P. Wilder, noted horticulturist and former President of the
American Pomological Society. This Society added this currant to its
list of recommended fruits in 1897.
Plants large,
vigorous, upright to slightly spreading, dense, usually free from
anthrac-nose, productive to very productive; young shoots very
numerous; leaf-buds very small, short, pointed, glabrous, free, lightly
tinged with brown; leaves large, dark green, with light bluish tinge,
thick, cordate at the base, with obtuse lobes, the notches between the
lobes frequently right-angled, with coarsely toothed or slightly
crenate margins; petiole medium in length and thickness, dark green,
holding the leaves horizontally. Flowers early, in long, loose,
drooping, many-flowered clusters; calyx-tube greenish, with traces of
red, deep saucer-shaped, glabrous; calyx-lobes broadly obtuse, sharply
reflexed at the apex giving a pentagonal effect, light green; petals
entire or notched; stamens with a broad connective between the
anther-cells; ring present, distinct, faintly colored at first becoming
uncolored; ovary glabrous. Fruit late midseason to late, hangs a long
time after ripening; clusters long, compact, the tips filled poorly;
cluster-stems long, thick; berry-stems medium in length and thickness;
berries variable in size averaging medium to large, roundish oblate,
handsome, glossy, dark red; skin smooth, thin, tender, translucent;
flesh firm, juicy, pleasantly subacid; quality good.
Wilmot Large White. 1. Card. Chron. N. S. 5:528. 1876. Wilmot's New White. 2. Mclntosh Bk. Card. 2:569. 1855.
Plants upright, productive, with large, flat, deeply cut leaves; bunches medium in size; berries large, white.