CURKANT. 213 



rule, agreeable to the American taste ; yet, like many 

 other fruits of strong flavor, it gradually becomes less ob- 

 jectionable, until at last, through familiarity, a taste for it 

 is acquired^ and then it is appreciated and valued as highly 

 as any other. Every year there appears to be an increas- 

 ing demand for the Black Currants, and the time will soon 

 come, if it has not already arrived, when they will com- 

 mand full prices and be sold in large quantities. Currant 

 wine made from the different kinds is a well known article 

 but whether its manufacture should be encouraged, or 

 otherwise, I will leave to the temperance societies to de- 

 cide. The price of Currants in our eastern markets varies 

 from four to fifteen cents per pound ; usually the largest 

 and best varieties will bring ten cents at wholesale. At 

 the last named price, four to six hundred dollars per acre 

 can be obtained. 



In planting the common red and white kinds, four feet 

 each way is sufficient, thus giving 2,722 plants per acre. 

 If we estimate our crop at two pounds per plant, which is 

 not one-half the amount they should produce when fully 

 grown, we will get 5,444 pounds per acre, or over two 

 tons and a half, and at two hundred dollars per ton it 

 amounts to over five hundred dollars. Then we have the 

 gathering} shipping, cultivation, and other incidental ex- 

 penses to deduct therefrom. But even then it can be seen 

 that it will be a very profitable crop. In case of great 

 abundance the prices might be somewhat reduced, but by 

 good cultivation the crop may be double the estimate 

 given above. 



The Currant possesses many good qualities to recom- 

 mend it ; among which are its perfect hardiness, early cul- 

 ture, great productiveness, and almost the certainty of a 

 full crop every year. 



