TRANSACTIONS OP ALTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 321 



Captain Hollister agreed with Mr. Draper in regard to these 

 berries. He succeeds well with the Davison's Thornless by close trimming 

 and high cultivation. 



Mr. Stewart — I have shipped the McCormick for four or five years, 

 and I never had these complaints of it. True, the price was small — from 

 twelve to fifteen cents. But I want to call attention to the currant. 

 This is a fruit that is neglected, but it is one that will pay to grow and 

 ship South — not North. I had, last year, about a quarter of an acre, and 

 it netted me forty dollars. You must mulch your currant bushes to keep 

 in moisture, to have them do well. They can grow the currant in the 

 North easier than we can here, and hence it does not pay to ship North. 

 You can grow currants easier than you can grow potatoes. 



Dr. Long — I am glad friend Stewart has spoken of the currant. 

 I have formerly tried to introduce the currant. As a medicinal fruit 

 nothing is better. It is grateful to take, simple and pure, and is emi- 

 nently health-giving. Those who eat freely of currants will never need 

 the doctors. I have picked forty bushels of currants from one quarter 

 of an acre. They will appreciate good culture, and yet they grow in the 

 fence-corner with little care. 



Mr. Stewart — About taking currants clear — I like to mix them 

 with raspberries, half and half. In this way it is a dish fit to set before a 

 king. 



Dr. Long recommended the Red Dutch as the best currant. He 

 had grown them so fine and large that they were sold by commission fnen 

 for cherry currants. The white grape currant is the variety for family 

 use. The cherry currant is very large and sells well in the market. 



About this time Mrs. Hollister came in with a surprise, in the shape 

 of hot coffee, sandwiches and mince pies. This revived wonderfully our 

 spirits. For this kind office she received, on motion of Dr. Long, the 

 hearty thanks of the Society. 



After lunch, Mr. James E. Starr read an essay upon the subject of 



UTILIZING FRUITS. 



One of the most important and interesting questions to all engaged 

 in growing fruits, is that of disposing of them to the best advantage, or, 

 in other words, so handling them as to realize the most money from 

 them. It is admitted that good fruits, well grown and properly put into 

 the market, generally pay their way and do not cause the grower any 

 trouble, but rather a positive pleasure; but, do the best we may, it 



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