SMALL FRUITS IN THE RED RIVER VALLEY. 12/ 



varieties introduced. Mankind is of a peculiar instinct, alwavs 

 after something better. I don't blame them for that. Some peo- 

 ple strive to be the foremost in every branch of invention, and I 

 don't blame them for that. There are two sides to everything, 

 but I feel like taking opportunity to select the best of them and 

 profit by the small outlay we have invested that way, and by time 

 spent to study up and find out about what they will do in our home 

 gardens, and what pleases us most in flavor and appearance. 



For those that will try currants, they should be planted in a 

 rather shady place, as they will not do well in hot, dry places. Cur- 

 rants want moist soil to do their best, also well enriched soil. If 

 you raise some late strawberries, there can be made some of the 

 nicest jelly by using some currants in it, and it makes a very pal- 

 atable sauce with cream in. I like the currants best when cooked. 



There is no reason why we in the Red River Valley should be 

 Avithout fruit and fresh from the garden. Plant lots of them so 

 the children can have what their craving asks 'for, and, if you can, 

 plant some apple trees and crabs. There is an old saying "Where 

 there is a will there is a way," and we need not now say we cannot 

 raise fruit, not only for our own use, but to sell by the bushel. 

 Some years we will have very late frosts that may cut us out, 

 but there are but few fruit districts in America that are exempt 

 from that, whether they are north, south, east or west. Give fruit 

 growing your study and drop fictitious reading and come along and 

 work alongside our beloved God, and he will give us the needed 

 light on the subject to succeed. It is not my intention to measure 

 it by dollars, but for a home, so love may reign, and we may reap 

 here a part of the lost paradise. 



In raspberries there are not many very hardy sorts to select 

 from as in strawberries, that will succeed here in the northwest, that 

 I know of that have done very well. They have to my observation 

 been as follows : Turner, Cuthbert, Loudon and Marlboro. The 

 Loudon is very hardy here, but I have found them too late for this 

 reason : The blackbirds will take them before they are ripe enough 

 for me to eat, or before they color up enough to sell. Otherwise 

 the Loudons are large and productive and have a long fruiting 

 season^, nearly up to September. Raspberries should if possible be 

 planted on a northeasterly slope, or at least have good protection 

 from the south, so they will have a moist and well drained soil. 



