Duration of Currant Plantations 277 



berry is all that one could wish. The currant supplies 

 the requisite acidity, while these fruits furnish the rich- 

 ness of flavor which the currant lacks. In canning it 

 preserves its qualities intact, so that it is nearly as avail- 

 able in winter as in summer. Currant shrub is a pleasant 

 summer drink, made from the ripe fruit crushed and 

 compounded like lemonade. The juice is said to be very 

 useful in soothing fevers. At one time the fruit was re- 

 ported 1 as having a steady demand in St. Louis for use 

 as a flavoring in soda water. 



As a dessert fruit the currant is not appreciated as it 

 should be. Thoroughly ripe fruit, crushed and mixed with 

 sugar some time before being served is a most appetizing 

 summer fruit. Nature seems to have just adapted it to 

 the needs of the hot weather season during which it ripens. 

 The ability of the fruit to hang on the bushes so long after 

 it ripens adds greatly to its value for use in this way. 

 Taken all in all, no member of the bush-fruit family better 

 deserves a place in the home-garden than does the currant. 

 It adapts itself so well to the varying conditions there 

 found, and returns so much for the care demanded that it 

 should find a place with every home which can have a 

 garden. 



DURATION OF CURRANT PLANTATIONS 



The length of time during which plantings will continue 

 productive will depend much on the care and treatment 

 which they receive. Downing advised 2 renewing them 

 every six or eight years, as finer fruit, with less trouble, 



1 Illinois Hort. Soc. 1890 : 157. 



2 Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, 488. 



