38 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



The regular order of business was then resumed by the call of the 

 President for the reports. 



REPORT ON CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRIES. 



Samuel Edwards, of Mendota, presented the following report : 



Mr. President and Members of the State Horticultural Society : 



Forty years ago currants and gooseberries grown in and along the 

 borders of the kitchen garden, and an occasional mess of black-cap 

 raspberries from fence corners or a new clearing, constituted the list of 

 small-fruits for nearly every farm in Western New York, my old home. 



With what anxiety the good housewife watched for the currant 

 blossoms to fall, that she could use for pies and sauce the incipient fruit. 

 The hairy gooseberries were deemed a luxury. 



People often speak of the wonderful progress of this age in mechan- 

 ical inventions. Has it not been fully as great in improved modes of 

 cultivating and in the extension of our lists of small-fruits? 



Compare the currants and gooseberries of the olden time with those 

 grown at your own homes and those of your neighbors. 



For thirty years you and the revered ones who have rested from 

 their labors have toiled for the consummation of those results and 

 similar ones in pomology, arboriculture, landscape, vegetable and kitchen' 

 gardening — in the glorious work of re-instating man in a garden wherein 

 "grows every tree pleasant to the eye or good for food." 



While striving for greater attainments, choosing for our motto 

 " Excelsior," have we not great reason for gratitude that we have been 

 permitted to be co-workers in the good already accomplished, and to 

 cherish fond hopes for the future? 



But what has this to do with growing currants and gooseberries ? 

 Little, it is true ; but, as you saw proper to place me on this committee 

 with one who has been eminently successful in their culture, I can say but 

 littj,eclirectly upon the subject which will be regarded with interest. 



Land, for a plantation of these fruits, should be in good condition 

 for growing a crop of corn ; thrifty young plants set in fall, or very 

 early in spring, four feet apart each way, five feet between rows, are better 

 for all currants except white grape. 



Frequent, clean cultivation should be given the fore part of the 

 season, mulching with coarse manure the latter part of June. A good 

 dressing of manure should be given annually; coal and wood ashes are 

 good to be used with other manures. \\\ this latitude and farther south 

 partial shade is advisable for currants. As they attain age the older wood 

 becomes massy and should be cut out each winter, the longest shoots 

 shortened one-third, and a part of the smaller shoots cut out. 



Red and White Dutch, Cherry, Versailles, Fertile d' Angers, Victoria, 

 Long-bunch Holland, White Grape and Black English or Naples (no 

 difference visible) are all the varieties of currants retained by me. 



American Seedling, Houghton, Downing and a green English 

 variety of gooseberries are all I can recommend. After investing in many 



