Fruits 



269 



in this country we import currants in considerable quantities from the continent of Europe — 

 principally France, Netherlands, and Belgium. In 1905 our imports of currants amounted 

 to 82,286 cwt. 



The Gooseberry (Ribes Grossularia) is found wild in this country and in many other parts 

 of Europe ; it extends eastwards to the borders of China and in Eastern Tibet is commonly 

 used as a hedge-plant. The plant is very hardy, and in Norway its successful culture extends 

 as far north as lat. 66°. Cool climates suit it best, and in the north of England and in 

 Scotland it thrives better than further south. 



The gooseberry has many local names even in this country. In Scotland it is called 

 " Grozet," in France " Groseille " (the French use the fruit for making a sauce for mackerel), 

 to the Germans it is the " Krausel 

 beere " or " Stachel-beere," to the 

 Dutch " Kruisbes " or " Kruisbezie," 

 to the Danes and Swedes the 

 " Krusbaar." 



The Raspberry (Rubus Idaeus) 

 is closely allied to the blackberry of 

 our hedgerows. A native of Britain 

 and most of the countries of Europe, 

 the raspberry grows wild as far north 

 as lat. 70° and southward in Asia 

 Minor to lat. 39° 40'. This fruit was 

 well known to the ancients, and 

 has been cultivated from time 

 immemorial. 



Many species of Rubus have 

 been taken in hand by horticul- 

 turists and hybridists, and some 

 valuable fruiting kinds raised. One, 

 called the Loganberry, raised in 

 America, has gained a wide reputa- 

 tion for its line fruits. The Japanese 

 Wine-berry (R. phcenicolasius) is 

 cultivated in Europe and America 

 for its ornamental appearance as 

 well as for its edible fruits. 



The Mulberry (Moms nigra) is 

 a small tree belonging to the stinging- 

 nettle family. The fruits are black, 

 luscious, and vinous, and were formerly much more esteemed in this country. 



The Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) is one of the most familiar and prized of all English- 

 grown fruits. A native of Virginia, it was introduced into this country in 1629, and has been 

 cultivated in increasing quantities ever since. Formerly, the immediate neighbourhood of 

 London — Mortlake, Twickenham, and Isleworth — was a great strawberry-growing district, 

 but, owing to the demands of the builder, the cult has been removed farther afield. Parts 

 of Hampshire, Cambridge, Surrey, and Kent are noted for their strawberries. 



The strawberry crop is one of the most certain ' of all crops in .this country, provided the 

 plants are properly looked after, and not allowed to surfer from drought. They " force " well, 

 and the early English strawberries of the shops are all grown in pots or frames under glass. 



The strawberries consumed in this country are chiefly hbm'e-grown ; France and the 

 Netherlands are the only countries from which we import any appreciable quantity. 



THE GUAVA FRUIT 



