Soil and Location 265 



appetizing dessert fruit, it appears to be little used for 

 that purpose. Where hundreds of crates of strawberries 

 are consumed each year and where raspberries are always 

 in demand, it is often difficult to dispose of one crate of 

 currants, to the grocers who handle other fruits. Appar- 

 ently they are little used except for jelly, and few even 

 for that. For many growers the only market is the whole- 

 sale one in some distant city. This means that the crop 

 must be grown on a wholesale plan if any profit is to result. 



SOIL AND LOCATION 



Currants will thrive and bear some fruit on almost any 

 soil, but their natural habitat indicates that to produce 

 really satisfactory and profitable crops they need a cool 

 and moist soil. Experience has fully demonstrated this 

 fact. The best results are, therefore, to be expected from 

 strong clay loams. Even a stiff clay, under good culture, 

 will be found satisfactory. Strong, moist, sandy loams, 

 if not too light, are also good. In the selection of a site, 

 the natural habitat of the plant will point to a cool north- 

 ern exposure. A proper site may in part offset the dis- 

 advantage of an unfavorable soil. Low, moist ground, 

 with some reduction in the intensity of the sun's rays, 

 will be found advantageous. For this reason the currant 

 often thrives well in orchards. This is most satisfactory 

 in those regions approaching the limit of its adaptability 

 to culture. For family use, it may be planted on the 

 north side of buildings or fences. Mulching tends to ac- 

 complish the same end, since it keeps the soil shaded and 

 cool. 



