PART III 

 THE GROSELLES 



There is no English word in use which includes both 

 currants and gooseberries. Since there is an evident 

 need for such a term, the word groselle was adopted in 

 the original edition of this book. This is a modification 

 of the old French word groiselle, or groisselle, which 

 was used for both these fruits before a separate term 

 was employed to designate the currant. The present 

 French word groseille, meaning a gooseberry, also for- 

 merly included both. 



CHAPTER XI 

 CURRANTS 



THE currant, though less extensively cultivated than 

 some of the other small fruits, fills an important place in 

 the pomology of our country. Its sprightly and healthful 

 qualities render it desirable to the consumer, and its 

 staple character makes it a comparatively safe crop for 

 the producer. It is almost wholly a northern fruit, having 

 no commercial importance in the southern states. Neither 

 currants nor gooseberries receive notice in " Florida 

 Fruits/' by Helen Harcourt, though other small fruits do. 

 It does not prosper in hot and dry climates. Even in 



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