140 THE HOME ACRE. 



creatures which permit themselves to be used when 

 wanted, and snubbed, neglected, and imposed 

 upon at other times. It is known that the bushes 

 will manage to exist, and do the very best they 

 can, no matter how badly treated; and average 

 human nature has ever taken advantage of such 

 traits, to its continuous loss. 



The patience of the currant is due perhaps to its 

 origin, for it grows wild round the northern hemi- 

 sphere, its chief haunts being the dim, cold, damp 

 woods of the high latitudes. You may tame, 

 modify, and vastly change anything possessing 

 life ; but original traits are scarcely ever wholly 

 eradicated. Therefore the natural habitat and 

 primal qualities of the currant indicate the true 

 lines of development, its capabilities and limita- 

 tions. It is essentially a northern fruit, requiring 

 coolness, moisture, and alluvial soils. It begins 

 to falter and look homesick even in New Jersey ; 

 and one has not to go far down the Atlantic 

 coast to pass beyond the range of its successful 

 culture. I do not see why it should not thrive 

 much farther south on the northern slopes of the 

 mountains. From Philadelphia northward, how- 

 ever, except on light dry soils and in sunny ex- 

 posures, there is no reason why it should not give 

 ample returns for the attention it requires. 



I shall not lay stress on the old, well-known uses 



