AN ENCYCLOPADIA OF HORTICULTURE. 
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83 
Gooseberry—continued. 
ground of about Gin., to admit of the soil being hoed and 
forked underneath. If, on replanting the first year after 
inserting the cuttings, three shoots can be obtained at 
this height, they should be shortened to three or four 
eyes each. The following summer, two new shoots should 
be secured from each, and the laterals kept stopped for 
forming spurs, the main branches being cut back to about 
lft. the next autumn, and these, in due course, allowed 
two more each; this being sufficient to form, if evenly 
regulated, what is considered a perfect tree. Some of 
the pendulous varieties require propping with forked 
sticks, to keep the branches and fruit off the ground; 
others, of an erect, vigorous habit, may require tying 
down. In the annual pruning of established trees, the 
spurs should be preserved, and strong, well-ripened shoots 
of the previous summer retained, so far as practicable, 
to replace old wood, which does not bear fine fruit. Al- 
though plenty of room must be allowed each branch 
for the admission of light and air, it is not well to have 
them too thin in southern localities, on account of the 
shade from sunshine afforded the fruit by the leaves. 
When planted to cover north walls, the fan system of 
training may be adopted, and part of the old wood 
annually replaced; or the plants may be inserted, when 
young, 3ft. apart, and three shoots conducted from each 
at equal distances perpendicularly, afterwards pruning, in 
summer, with a view to limiting the production of fruit 
from spurs. Gooseberries succeed well in such a position; 
and if dessert varieties of good constitution are planted, 
and the necessary protection from birds, &c., is afforded, a 
supply may be secured much later than from the open 
ground, 
Insects, §c. The Gooseberry suffers severely from the 
ravages of several destructive insects, which feed on the 
leaves so far as to entirely defoliate the trees. The 
principal depredators are the caterpillars of the Magpie 
Moth (Abraxas grossulariata) and of Phalena Vanaria, 
and the larve of the Gooseberry and Currant Sawfly 
(Nematus Ribesii). Hand-picking, persistently practised 
from the first appearance of the insects, is the most 
certain cure; but this is almost impossible in extensive 
collections. Bushes situated near much-frequented walks, 
or placed under protection from birds, have been observed 
to become more infested than others fully exposed. This 
infers that birds of some sort, although it is doubtful 
which, either eat the insects or carry them away to feed 
their young. Cuckoos are considered special friends for 
this purpose; and sparrows, sparrow-hawks, and tomtits, 
have also been observed to visit the bushes frequently 
when infested with caterpillars; but whether for eating 
them or not, is somewhat uncertain. Lightly syringing 
the bushes, in the evening, with water, and then dusting 
with lime or flowers of sulphur, also scattering some of 
each and some soot round the plants, are means usually 
adopted as remedies. As most of these insects undergo 
their transformation in a young state, on or beneath the 
ground, various methods for destroying them there have 
en recommended, such as occasionally dusting with 
newly-slaked lime or Hellebore powder; or covering 
the soil,.in spring, to a depth of 3in., with fresh tan. 
Great destruction is frequently caused to Gooseberries 
in some localities by birds, particularly bullfinches, pick- 
ing out the buds in spring, and also devouring the fruit 
when ripe. A limited number of trees may be covered 
with netting; but, in a large collection, it is difficult to 
Stop these attacks, when once begun. 
„Sorts. Gooseberries are divided into classes that are 
distinguished from each other by the colour of the fruits 
and the absence or presence of hairs on the skins. 
Varieties in cach oaloar ave very numerous, many of the 
smaller fruits being of the highest flavour, while the 
ger ones are fit for cooking earlier in the season. 
hose having red skins are variable in flavour, a large 
Gooseberry—continued. 
quantity being more or less acid. On account of their 
late-keeping properties, the best red sorts -are most 
valuable for dessert fruit in autumn, after the majority 
of the others are past. The highest flavour is attained 
in the amber and yellow varieties, which are very 
tender in the skin, and mostly early in ripening. Man 
of the green ones are large, and contain but little pulp 
in proportion. Others of the same colour are small, 
but remarkably thin-skinned and rich in flavour when 
ripe. Amongst white sorts, there are several of good 
quality, but they are not so generally cultivated as the 
others. Subjoined is a selection from the leading 
varieties in each class. Those marked r, are specially 
recommended for flavour; and others marked s, for size. 
Class I. Fruit with Red Skin, 
Hero (s). Fruit dark red, very long and large, a 
— Dramak dina large, and spreading. 
Crown Bob, Fruit —— red, of good flavour, roundish-oblong, 
hairy. Branches pendulous. i 
Dan’s Mistake (s). Fruit light red, very large, hairy. Branches 
strong, erect, — —— for exhibition. 
Dr. Hogg 9 Fruit purplish-red, long, broad, downy. Branches 
short-jointed, erect, vigorous. 
Henson’s Fruit deep red, medium, of good flavour, 
very hairy ; late. Branches erect. An abundant bearer. 7 
F Fruit dark small, hairy. Branches 
spreading. often confounded with, but inferior to, Red Cham- — 
pagne. SYN. Hairy Black. — 
Keen’s Seedling (F). Fruit bright red, medium, oblong, very 
hairy ; early. ——— pendulous, Great bearer. £ 
’s Provider. Fruit light red, long, a little hairy. Branches 
long, slender, erect. ae 
London Fruit dark red, very large, roundish-ovate, smooth. 
pened ts al A rather tender and uncertain bearer, but 
the largest gooseberry known. 
Miss Bold (F) Fruit light red, medium, very downy ; early. 
Branches spreading. ? ; 
Monarch, Fruit deep red, very large, oblong, hairy. Branches 
strong, erect. A good bearer. 
Plough Boy. Fruit light red, shaded yellow, very long, smooth ; 
late. Branches slender, spreading. 
berry (¥). Fruit dark red, small, hairy; early. Branches 
spreading, pendulous. i * * 
Red Champagne (r) Fruit light red, small, roundish-oblong, __ 
hairy. Branches very erect. A good bearer. SYNS. Countess of 
Errol and Ironmonger of Scotland. : ; F 
Red Turkey. Fruit dark red, small, obovate, smooth ; late. 
Branches somewhat erect. adeg o 
d Warrington (r). Fruit red, ronndish-oblong, 8, hairy 5 late, 
— well in autumn, Branches pendulous, One of the b è t for . 
general cultivation. SYNS. Aston Seedling, 
Rifleman. Fruit red, very large, 
erect. A good bearer, = — 
Rough Red (F). Fruit dark red, small, all, : 
Branches upright, spreading. = Te 
pendulous. : eae ey. Pe 
Wonderful (s). Fruit purplish-red, very large, smooth. Br 
——— stiff, very tender in spring. 
Class II. Fruit with Yellow Skin. 
Broom Girl (r). Fruit large, with long stalk ; skin dark yellow, 
hairy ; Do first rate. Branches strong, erect. 
3 i / ightly hairy. 
Catherina (s). Fruit yellow, very large, obovate, slight 
Branches — spreading. 
Criterion. Fruit greenish - yellow, medium, a little hairy. 
Branches spreading, pendulous. 
Drill ©). Fruit greenish-yellow, large, long, smooth; late. 
Branches spreading. 
Early Sulphur (F). Fruit bright yellow, medium, very hairy; 
early and abundant. Leaves pubescent above. Branches erect. 
Fanny. Fruit pale yellow, large, round, hairy. Branches 
(s). _ Fruit pale yellow, large, long; skin 
Branches spreading, pendulous, eee 
Queen (r) Fruit pale yellow, large, smooth; early. 
— slender, pendulous. 
High Sheriff. > Fruit deep yellow, large, round, — z 
Branches spreading, pendulous, very hairy 
