182 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



in demand. I believe it is the too early picking, a fault which ruins much 

 of our marketing of fruits, especiall}- grapes. I believe there is a good 

 demand for gooseberries in proper condition. 



Mr. Smith: Do gooseberries and currants become more tart as they 

 ripen? They are said to require more sugar. 



Mr. Eeid: I can't say as to that. I have eaten green currant pie 

 which appeared to be mostly sugar. But there is a great loss of flavor 

 by premature picking of gooseberries. But someone is in a hurry to get 

 the early market price, and rushes them in, and then everyone follows. I 

 know one grower in Allegan county who marketed his whole crop of 

 Early Crawfords one year, before they were ripe; and while he made 

 money that year, he was unable to sell at all to the same men the next 

 year. It is a fact that very much of our fruit is sent into market before 

 it is fit to go. 



Mr. Morrill: Taking that one crop, it is a noted fact that for three 

 years the gooseberry-growers of Michigan have been picking a little 

 sooner and a little sooner, because they could get a little money out of 

 them, and because it is a fruit picked in its green state anyway. I am 

 satisfied that it makes a vast difference. 



Mr. Eeid: One of the fruit journals, this summer, advised picking them 

 when they were half grown, saying that the flavor was much better. As 

 to the currants, the case is a little different. They are not used simply 

 for dessert, but also for jelly, and for that purpose they are much better 

 before they are fully matured. Of course, they never market absolutely 

 green fruit. So premature marketing is not so likely to occur with this as 

 with the gooseberry. Those who eat the gooseberry after it is fully ripe 

 find it a wholesome and palatable fruit, and I believe the liking and 

 fashion for ripe gooseberries will grow in this country, especially for the 

 larger kinds. 



Mr. Morrill : No one has answered the question as to the profitableness 

 of currants and gooseberries. Do they pay, even under present circum- 

 stances? 



Mr. Smith: One year's test would hardly be sufficient. 



Mr. F. E. Rood: I think, generally speaking, they have done very 

 well. Still, they have been great bearers. 



Mr. Edward Hawley: We have found both gooseberries and currants 

 profitable heretofore. This year, however, we are afraid prices are going 

 to go back on us. 



Mr. Morrill : What do you think will be the cause — too much fruit, or 

 premature picking? 



A. We don't know whether currants are going to follow gooseberries 

 in the drop this year. Certainly gooseberries are selling very low. 



Mr. Morrill: Bo you think that Downings are ready to pick yet? 



A. Yes, just about now. The early market a year ago was the best, 

 and this year they have gone to the extreme of shipping altogether too 

 early. When a berry is too young it will wilt very soon. It is my opinion 

 that the gooseberry limit has been reached. I think the market is quite 

 limited. 



