The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-08-05
The Ourrant.

The patience of the currant is due perhaps to
it, origin, for it crows wild around the north
ern hemisphere, its chief haunt> being the dim,
cold, Damp wood, of the high latiudeS. You
may tame, modify, and vastly change anything
possessing life. but original traits are scarcely
ever rwhollv cradicated. Therefore the natural
habitat and primal qualities of the currant i'll
iicate the true lines of dcV Vclopment, its capa-
bilitics and limitations. Ii is essentially
ern fruit. requiring GOODNESS. moisture and al
luvial soils II begins TO falter and look home
sick even in New jersey, and one does not have
to 70 far down the Atlantic coast to pass be
yond the range of its successful culture. i do
not sec why it should not thrive much farther
south Oh the northern slopes of the mountains
From Philadelphia morthward. however, en-
ccpt on light dry soils and in sunny exposures,
there is no reason why it should not give ample
returns for the attention it requires.
shall moi lay stress on the old, Weil-known
uses TO which this fruit is put, but do think
IT, yaIuc is but half appreciated. People rush
around in Judy in search of health: let me re-
commend the rurrant cure. II any one is Ian
Snld. depressed III spirits. inclined TO head
aches, and generally "Out of sorts" let him in-
h h> breakfast daily for month with Il dish
Of freshly picked currant>. He Will soon al-
most doubt his own identity, and may even
begin to think that he is becoming good man.
He VIII he more gallant to his Wife kinder to
his children, friendIier IT, his neighhor>. and
more open-hanttcd To every GOOD cause. Work
will soon seem play. and play fun. In brief
The truth of the ancient pun will be verified
that 'ihr power to live good life depends
largely upon the ljrcr.' out upon the non
Sel>c of taking medicine and nostrums during
the currant season! Let il be taught AT theo-
logical >eminaries that the rurrant is ''mean>
OF grace 1t j. corrective. and that is what
average humanity most needs.
The currant, like the raspberry, is willing to
keep shady. hut only because it j. modest. Ii
is one of the fruits that thrive better among
trees than in too dry and sunny exposures.
Therefore, in rconomzn@ space ON the home
acre. il may be crown among smaller frees, or
better still. on the northern OF eastern side of
Il wall OF hedge. But shade is not essential en-
copt a> we go south: then the requisites Of
moisture and shelter from the burning ravs Of
the >In should h@ complied with a> far as pos
sible. Ia giving this and kindred fruits partial
>halr they should not lie compelled to contend
to any extent with the roots Of trees. This viii
ever prove an unequal contest. No fruit can
thrive in dense shade or find >lI>tcnamce among
the NOraciOus roots of tree.
Select, therefore, if possible. heavy, deep.
moist, yet Well-drained soil, and do not fear to
make and keep it very rich. If YOU are re
>tricted to sandy or @raNcliy soils. correct their
defects with compost. dcc;lycd leaves and >ods.
muck, manure from the roW-stablc. and other
fertilizers with stay wing rather than stimulating
qualities. Either by ploughn@ or forking
deepen Is well H. enrich the soil. 1t is then
ready for the plants. which may be set out
either in the fall or in carly spring. ! prefer
the aHtumn-any time after the leaves have
fallclI-hut spring answers almost H. WELL
while buds are dormant or partially 50. 1t
should he remembered that the curr:nt STARTS
very early, and i full of foliage before some
people are fairly awakened to garden interests.
1t would in this case he better to wait until
October, unless the plants can be obtained from
Il ncighhor on a cloudy ,lav; then they should
he cut back tWO-thir,S of their length before
being removed, and the trans fer made as quick
" a. possible. ndcr amy circumstances take
of half of the wood from the plants bought
This need not be thrown away Every cutting
OF young wool >iN inches long will make Il new
plant IN Il single season. All that i needful is
to Keep the wood moist until ready to put it
into the ground. or, better still a cool. damp
place in the garden can he selected at once. and
the cuttings sunk tWO-third~ of their length
into the ground and The soil pressed firmly
around them. BY fall they Will have Il good
supply Of roots, and hy the following autumn
he ready to set out wherever You wish them to
fruit L. + Roc, IN Ilarper'> Magazine for
August.