266 Bush-Fruits 



Regions somewhat elevated are generally more satis- 

 factory than lower altitudes, especially toward the south- 

 ern limits of its range. In Pennsylvania better fruit is 

 said to be produced at an elevation of 1,000 feet than 

 on plateaus near the sea. The leaves fall earlier on the 

 lower lands, and the fruit is smaller in consequence the 

 succeeding year. 



FERTILIZERS 



The currant is a rank feeder, and needs a rich soil, with 

 liberal fertilizing. Yet the roots are small and fibrous, 

 and do not extend far for food. It must be supplied in 

 liberal quantities and close at hand. While no fruit will 

 live and apparently thrive under greater neglect than will 

 the currant, it is equally true that no fruit will more 

 quickly or fully respond to liberal treatment. Too often 

 it is relegated to the fence corners, without care or culture, 

 there to battle with sod, currant- worms and leaf -spot from 

 year to year. Little wonder that the returns are sour and 

 small! 



Liberal applications of stable-manure, preferably in 

 the fall or winter, supplemented with the addition of 

 wood ashes, or potash in the form of commercial fertilizers, 

 in the spring, are always in order. Currants contain 1 0.11 

 per cent of phosphoric acid and 0.27 per cent of potash, 

 while stable-manure contains only about one-third more 

 potash than phosphoric acid, which suggests the need of 

 additional potash. There is little danger of too rank 

 growth or of diminished fruitfulness from an excess of 

 stable-manure. Observations at the Massachusetts State 

 1 Exp. Sta. Handbook, p. 402. 



