276 Bush-Fruits 



advantage in this regard. They can be more easily picked 

 without crushing any of the fruits. 



For shipping purposes, the fruit must be picked while 

 still hard and firm, in order to carry well. For home use 

 or near market it should not be picked too soon, especially 

 for dessert use. If left on the bushes until thoroughly 

 ripe and soft, they make an admirable dessert fruit when 

 eaten fresh. For this purpose the White Grape is one of 

 the best, being less acid than most varieties. The fruit- 

 ing season may be prolonged until autumn, if the fruit 

 is protected by covering the plants with light cheese- 

 cloth or netting. 



The fruit is commonly marketed in quart baskets, 

 put up in bushel crates like other berries. Of late years 

 the grape basket has been gaining in favor as a package, 

 and is now extensively used. The nine-pound basket 

 is the size preferred by most markets. This is a conven- 

 ient size for the consumer, especially if purchased for 

 jelly or preserving. 



USES 



The paramount use of the currant is in making jelly, 

 for which purpose it is unsurpassed. The red varieties 

 are preferred owing to their higher color. White currants, 

 if scalded before pressing, are said to make a rich, red 

 jelly, not as dark as that from red varieties, but very 

 handsome. The fruit, either green or ripe, makes excel- 

 lent pies or sauce. It is especially satisfactory when used 

 in combination with fruits which lack sprightliness or 

 acidity. With a few currants added, even the Russian 

 mulberry becomes an appetizing fruit, and the June- 



