338 BUSH-FRUITS 



observe them. The fruit is but little seen in market, 

 which is probably the result of unfavorable experience. 



Figures in regard to the extent and value of the 

 crop are not readily available, but something, 'of its 

 importance can be estimated from the number of 

 acres devoted to the production of plants by nursery- 

 men, as shown by the census report of 1890. The 

 returns at that time showed 2,020 acres devoted to 

 currants in the nurseries. Of this number 1,316 acres 

 were in one-year-old plants and 704 acres in two- 

 year -old plants. Ohio leads in the production, with 

 451 acres, followed by New York with 405 acres and 

 Illinois with 383 acres. But 23 acres are reported 

 from the south Atlantic division, which includes New 

 Jersey, 7 from the south central, and 11 from the 

 western division. The total acreage is less than half 

 that of either strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or 

 grape vines. About twenty -five thousand plants are 

 grown on each acre. The estimated cost of producing 

 one-year-old plants is about $1 per hundred. The 

 average selling price reported in the north Atlantic 

 division is about $1.85, and in the north central 

 division $2.08 per hundred. The estimated cost of 

 two -year -old plants is about $1.50 per hundred, and 

 the average wholesale selling price $3 in the north 

 Atlantic and $2.60 in the north central division. 



These figures show plainly the region of adaptation 

 of the currant, though the small acreage in the ex- 

 treme western portion may be due to a want of sat- 

 isfactory markets rather than to a Jack of .adaptation 

 in climate. 



