i88i.] FRUIT -CULTURE. Ml 



becomes closer, that they will also be found to pay better even in the case 

 of growers for market. The leopard will have to change his spots and the 

 Ethiopian his skin, before fresh Strawberries can be brought from America ; 

 and as for Gooseberries, America cannot produce them well. Currants, in- 

 deed, are brought in quantities from the Continent, but we think that the 

 time cannot be far distant when these fruits shall be produced so abundantly 

 at home that Continental growers will be unable to compete. Our small 

 fruits, even in country districts, are extravagantly dear, considering that 

 there is so much land fit for their cultivation, for w^hich nominal rents 

 cannot be obtained. Every cottager may increase his income, and benefit 

 the community, by producing quantities of these small fruits ; for almost all 

 the work necessary may be done by members of his family — instead of, as now, 

 lamenting that machinery has monopolised the work that used to be done by 

 female and juvenile hands. There is plenty of work, if men would only 

 recognise the altered circumstances and adapt themselves accordingly. 



This much by the way, however, and we only hope that these remarks may 

 fall into the hands of those for whom they are intended. In the meantime 

 our duty is to teach, as far as in us lies, how to grow these fruits to the 

 greatest perfection and in the greatest abundance. 



Gooseberries. 



Decidedly the Gooseberry ranks first. Nowhere in the world does the 

 Gooseberry grow to such perfection as in Great Britain. Not only so, but 

 few fruits are so useful ; for it is used for making sauce and tarts and jelly 

 when green, for jam when ripe, and it also forms a grateful and wholesome 

 dessert fruit in the latter state. Its uses are so well known that we need 

 not enlarge upon them. 



Any good garden soil suits it, but it always pays to treat it well. In order 

 to do it justice, the ground should be trenched at least two spades deep, and 

 liberally manured with stable-yard manure. This may be done any time in 

 winter, and the bushes planted in spring ; but we prefer, especially on newly- 

 taken-in soil, to take one crop of early Potatoes off the ground first, and then 

 to plant in autumn. The working of the Potatoes gets the ground into ex- 

 cellent condition for Gooseberries ; and when they are planted on finely pre- 

 pared soil, from the middle of September to the middle of October, and 

 mulched, they root at once and make a fine start the following spring. Plants 

 put out in spring, especially on new, not very well prepared soil, do not make 

 nearly so good a start (even although the season should prove favourable) as 

 when put out under such conditions as we have named ; and instead of gaining 

 a season there is often a loss, for bushes which get stunted once, are ill to 

 start into good growth afterwards. Our advice, then, is to trench in winter, 

 take a crop of early Potatoes in summer, and work them well. After the 

 crop is off", fork the soil thoroughly (if light, tread it lightly when dry), and 

 plant the Gooseberry-bushes late in September or early in October, putting 

 afterwards a couple of spadefuls of manure over the roots to keep out frost in 

 winter, and drought in spring and summer. They should not be nearer in 

 the row than 5 feet, and 6 feet should be allowed between the rows. 



If possible, plants with one-foot stems should be chosen, which are very 

 much better than those whose branches spring from the surface of the 

 ground. In planting them, the soil should be taken out and the roots spread 

 out in the same way as advised for fruit-trees. Huddling the roots into holes 

 too small to allow of their being properly spread out should be avoided. 



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