ON THE CULTURK OF GOOSEBERRIES. 



That some varieties are more disposed to mildew than others I have good, reason to be- 

 lieve. I purchased a few bushes in market, represented as being " extra fine," but I found 

 with the same treatment as the others they showed a slight disposition to mildew. 



That the mildew is contagious, I do not question. Having put a lot of cuttings on the 

 shady side and extreme edge of the garden, for the purpose of rooting, tliey were left to 

 take care of themselves, being neither trimmed, manured, or the least attention paid to 

 them. Early last May the leaves became very much mildewed, and I soon found that the 

 fruit on them, and a row of bearing bushes which were six feet distant, and ran parallel 

 with the row of cuttings, was affected just as fiir as the mildewed cuttings extended, 

 while all the others were free from blight of any kind. 



The operation of shortening the twigs, is to in- 

 crease the growth of the new wood and reduce the 

 quantity of fruit, so that the bush can perfect 

 "what it bears, and furnish new and vigorous shoots, 

 which are indispensable in order to secure a future 

 crop. 



I have lately adopted the following plan : trench 

 the ground two feet deep; manure and mix tho- 

 roughl}^; set out two feet apart well rooted plants 

 one year old, trimmed to a straight stem twelve or 

 fifteen inches long; take off all the lower buds, six 

 or eight inches from the ground ; permit them to 

 grow at random the first year, (putting down a 

 slight stake to steady each.) Last autumn they 

 appeared as No. 1. This winter I clipped off 

 from a third to a half of last year's growth, (as 

 at a on branches of No. 1,) giving the bush a good 

 shape. The next was cut back to one or two good 

 buds close to the main stem, and appears when trimmed as No. 2 

 as No. 1 and so alternatelj'. 



The advantage of this method is simplicity — takes up little space, en- 

 sures new wood with large thorns, which always produce the best fi nit. 

 The trimming is performed with ease and rapidity, affording the bearing 

 bush ample space, light, and air, while perfecting the fruit, by which 

 time No. 2 will have filled up the open space. The winter foUowino-, 

 No. 1 is cut back, and appears as No. 2, while No. 2 will take the ap- 

 pearance of No. 1. 



My experience, after thirteen years successful cultivation and observa- 

 tion on the habits and wants of the gooseberry, fully satisfies me that the 

 latter plan faithfully carried out, will ensure a fine crop with little 

 trouble, as well as adding beauty and uniformity to a bush, that is too 

 apt to be neglected, and makes a hideous appearance in our gardens. The 

 person from whom T obtained my stock (then very good) has since for want of attention 

 permitted his to run down, so that they are far below mine in size; while mine have been 

 improving, and last summer when offered at our horticultural exhibition were awarded 

 the first premium. [Thanks for this sensible and practical communication. Ed.] 



Yours truly, &c. J. C. Thompson. 



Tompkinsville, Stateti Island, N. Y., Feb. 29, 1S52. 



No. 1 



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