THE GROSELLE FRUITS 



Currants and Gooseberries are the domesticated t)^es 

 of a great genus of wild plants called Ribes. More 

 than a score of species belong to this genus, which is of 

 almost world-wide distribution. Only a few of these 

 species are of economic importance, however, the most 

 notable being those from which our garden Currants and 

 Gooseberries have been derived. The word Groselle, 

 adapted from an old French name, has been adopted to 

 include the fruit-producing forms of Ribes, so we may 

 use it when we wish to include both currants and goose- 

 berries. 



Currants 



The garden Currants, including both the red and the 

 white fruited varieties, have been derived from a wild 

 species found in northern regions practically around the 

 globe. It is called Ribes ruhrum and is native to Europe, 

 Asia, and North America. The botany books say it is 

 found in "cold woods" and that in America it ranges 

 south to "northern New England, New Jersey, Indiana, 

 and Minnesota." In view of this statement of the home 

 of the wild plant it is not surprising to find that as a 

 successful garden crop the Currant is limited to northern 

 regions, though sometimes it flourishes farther south in 

 mountainous locaUties. 



A deep, moist, rich, loamy soil and a cool climate 

 with only moderate sunshine furnish the conditions 

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