Succession of Small Fruits. 331 



strawberries or currants. A row or two of the Kirtlancl or the Philadelphia 

 (perhaps the Clarke will prove better), and as many of the Doolittle and 

 the Miami Black-caps, are all that I should deem important ; though the 

 season can be prolonged into autumn by the use of the Ohio Everbearing, 

 or a seedling of it raised by Mr. H. B. Lum of Sandusky, O. 



The Currcmt is a favorite with my family : and I am convinced that onl\- 

 few persons know any thing of the excellence of this fruit when w.ll 

 grown and fully ripe ; for such is very seldom seen in our markets, or in the 

 gardens of our acquaintances. The opinion has long prevailed that cur- 

 rants will grow anywhere without care or culture, and that the varieties are 

 all just about alike ; and this false notion has brought the fruit into such 

 poor condition and repute, that there is very little demand for it in the 

 markets, or taste for it among the people, when any other fi-uit can be had. 

 But let any man read and put in practice the directions of Mr. Fuller in 

 his excellent work on " Small Fruits," and then, with the Versaillaise and 

 White-Grape varieties, he will produce such currants as will astonish and 

 delight his- wife and children, and command a high price in the market if 

 he has any surplus. On a deep, rich, and rather moist soil (but not wet), 

 the currant will hold its fruit in fine condition for several weeks after ripen- 

 ing, and with marked improvement in flavor, forming a most agreeable and 

 refreshing dish for the table during the heated term of July and early 

 August. The objection made by economical housekeepers, that currants 

 require too much sugar for table use, is a mistaken one ; for it is known that 

 sugar itself is a wholesome and nutritious article of diet, especially for 

 children, and, when used with other food, contains more nutriment, and 

 costs less per pound, than butcher's meat. 



Blackbsrries are now generally grown in all gardens of considerable size, 

 besides being abundant in the fields and woods in most parts of our coun- 

 try : hence this fruit is an important staple in our succession. With good 

 cultivation on deep and moist soil, the crop may be prolonged to the first 

 of September, or till the earliest grapes are ripe. But, as this is the time 

 when melons and tomatoes are in season, it is not a great evil if there hap- 

 pens to be a slight break in the succession, especially as most people can 

 draw on their neighbors, if not on their own trees, for a few peaches or 

 apples at this season. The Wilson Blackberry is an important acquisition 

 for its earliness, and the Kittatinny is the best for the main crop. 



