204 BOARD OF AGEICULTUEE. 



capable of producing as large crops of first quality fruit as any State, and 

 being in a densely populated part of the country, tliere is no reason why 

 we should not grow and market as paying crops of strawberries as any 

 of our neighboring States. 



President Stevens: We" will now have a paper from Mr. Howland on 

 "Cm'rants and Gooseberries." 



GROWING SMALL FRUITS ON A COMMERCIAL SCALE IN 



INDIANA. 



BY ELISHA J. HOWLAND, ROWLANDS. 



This subject is not one of my selection, and inasmuch as other bush 

 fruits have been named and discussed, I infer that my subject is "Cur- 

 rants and Gooseberries," they being the most important of the unnamed 

 fruits. Commercially, I think, they are among the most profitable fruits 

 grown. 



That Central Indiana can produce these fruits in quantities gi-eater 

 than the local consumption demands has been proven years ago. For 

 several years we have been compelled to call upon Cincinnati, Louisville, 

 St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit and all the intervening towns and cities for 

 a market for these fruits, and sometimes not at remunerative prices to 

 the producer. 



Most soils in Central Indiana are adapted to these fruits, if thor- 

 oughly di-ained and sufiiciently fertile. Wet soils and surface water are 

 desti'uctive to plants and encourage mildew. Both fruits require clean 

 cultivation, but shallow. Both have their insect enemies, perhaps to a 

 greater extent than many other fruits, but they can be more easily con- 

 trolled by close attention and prompt application of insecticides. 



Neglect for a single season often destroys the crop and seriously af- 

 fects the bushes, which seldom survive two seasons' neglect. A daily 

 inspection is necessary, during the season, for the pests, to ascertain 

 their first appearance and to promptly apply the remedy. Our soil and 

 climate are well adapted to this industry, and the mai'ket most of the 

 time satisfactory, but sometimes there comes a glut in the market that is 

 discouraging, however, not more so than for many other products of the 

 farm and garden. 



President Stevens: We will now take a recess till 1:30 p. m. 



The local society had prepared, in an adjoining building, a lunch, at 

 which 300 to 400 hungi-y fruit gi-owers, their wives and children, sat 

 down with eminent satisfaction. Almost all were able to resume busi- 

 ness at 1:30 o'clock, when President Stevens called to order, and said 



