112 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



In this era of small fruits increasing care and attention are be- 

 ing given currants and gooseberries. One planter, in the north part 

 of the State, is to set next spring 14,000 plants for raising fruits. 



SAMUEL EDWARDS. 



Mendota, III., December, 1883. 



B. F. Long, of Alton, of the same committee, sent in the fol- 

 lowing report: 



To the President and Members of the lUinois Horticidtural Society: 



I have been interested to learn what could be done to save our 

 orchard of the currant from drouth and insect depredation, and to 

 obtain an annual crop of that excellent and invigorating fruit, but 

 with little success. Still, I hope to succeed. For the past three 

 years the fruit has been almost a total failure. In 1881 the -drouth 

 was so severe as to destroy most of the currant orchards in this 

 vicinity. Norway Spruces, forty feet in height, root and branch, 

 White Pines and Hemlocks. The currant bushes were left in a very 

 enfeebled condition. The orchard was well mulched, but seemingly 

 with little benefit. In the spring of 1883 prospects of fruit were 

 very small, and few bushes escaped the drouth of 1882. Early in 

 the spring I commenced deep plowing between the rows of bushes. 

 I followed the plow with the hoe, cutting off torn roots. As the 

 season advanced I discovered that the plants were invigorated and 

 the leaves were rapidly developed by this process. This cultivation 

 was continued with good success, obviating the effects of the drouth. 

 At the present time there is a prospect of a small crop of currants 

 another year, and a fine supply of new sprouts for setting. 



The varieties that I esteem most highly are the large Red Dutch 

 for the principal crop. The best for table use is the White Grape. 

 Largest and most showy the Cherry currant. I consider the currant 

 the most healthful fruit in use, and the various methods of prolong- 

 ing its time should make it universally desired. 



Goosehernj. — This fruit is not as much raised as twenty years 

 ago in this vicinity, and though it holds its place well as a culinary 

 article, for the sourest of tarts, the purchaser meets you with, " Too 

 sour for me;" "takes too much sugar." The Houghton Seedling is 

 the variety of this vicinity. If well cultivated, mulched and thinned 

 out, will satisfy the desire in amount of crop, but the sale of the 

 fruit seldom fails to give dissatisfaction. 



Respectfully submitted. 



North Alton, III. BENJ. F. LONG. 



C. N. Dennis — Mr. Edwards, do the leaves of your currants 

 drop prematurely? 



Samuel Edwards — Yes; all our currants drop their leaves early. 



