would otherwise be a slack time in the fruit season. The labor is then profitably 

 employed where otherwise it would practically have to " kill time "—an expensive 

 operation for the grower, constituting an overhead charge on the orchard that is 

 very seldom included in estimates of cost of production, etc. 



When commercial growing is undertaken several points have to be carefully 

 considered, chief among which are the facilities for gathering and marketing the 

 fruit. Naturally a near market is desirable since it reduces the cost of shipping, 

 but where no near market is available, this need not prove the deciding factor in 

 the location of a site as currants and gooseherries', especially gooseberries, will 

 ship long distance with little or no injury. Other small fruits will not begin to 

 stand the same length of shipment. 



Okigin and Histoey of the Currant. 



The currant, as compared with some of our other fruits, is of comparatively 

 recent origin. Before the middle of the sixteenth century it was apparently un- 

 known to cultivation, and it was during the fifty years following that it received 

 its modern improved form. Further, it is only during the past half century 

 or a little better, that there has been any extensive improvement of the fruit in 

 this country. Previous to this time currants were simply currants and were 

 commonly known as reds, whites, and blacks. During later years, however, keener 

 competition in the markets has brought about considerable improvement both in 

 size of fruit and in quality. Many new varieties have been originated, though 

 there are growers who still believe that the old Eed Dutch variety is superior to 

 any of the more recent introductions. Culture and fertility often appear to 

 have a greater influence on this fruit than parentage, and it is undoubtedly 

 true that with good culture the Red Dutch will surpass the newer varieties under 



neglect. 



The cultivated varieties of the red and white currants are derived from 

 Rihes rubrum, a native of the northern parts of America, Europe and Asia. 

 Varieties of the black currants are derived from Riles nigrum, a native of 

 northern Europe and Asia. Although not found in America in the wild state, 

 the black currant seems to have found no difficulty in adapting itself to our 

 conditions. One variety of black currant, the Crandall, comes from an American 

 species Rihes aureum, better known as the fiowering currant. It is, however, a 

 different species from the ordinary black currant. 



The currant is in all cases a northern plant, found in cool damp situations, 

 and it objects to any radical change from these conditions. It does not prosper 

 i]i hot and dry climates, for though the plants may look well, they are com- 

 paratively unproductive. Favoring a northern climate as it does, the currant 

 succeeds well over a very wide area in Ontario. For this reason, and also being 

 easy of culture, it js one of the best fruits for home planting. Anyone who has 

 the space should grow satficicnt at least for home use. 



For various reasons the currant is not so generally used in Ontario as most 

 of our fruits. Fe^^■ people care to eat it in the raw state as most varieties are 

 too acid for dessert purposes. When cooked, it is usually made into jelly and 

 for jelly making it is unsurpassed. In the colder parts of Ontario where tree fruits 

 do not succeed so well, the currant, on account of its hardiness and ease of culture, 

 as stated above, finds considerably more favor. 



