106 Small I^rtois /'or the J^amily Gai'den. 



During the exceedingly dry summer, however, which followed, the rust disappeared 

 and the plants seemed to recover, though they never bore well since. No remedy is 

 known thus far, and E hope some of our friends present may be able to throw more 

 light on the subject. 



GoosehevTies, 



Gooseberries seem for some years past to have attracted less attention ; they are 

 getting scarce in market, and consequently bring higher prices. We are dependent 

 on the Houghton, Mountain Seedling, and Downing, of which the first is the most 

 productive ; the second the largest and the best for market when ripe ; the third the 

 best in flavor. 



It is to be regretted that no eiforts have been made to produce, by crossing the 

 above with the Lancashire varieties, some larger and superior sorts, that would resist 

 better our summer climate and prove valuable for the table. In speaking of English 

 as Lancaster varieties, as we generally style them, although they grow to as great 

 perfection anywhere on the continent of Europe as they do in England, I am of the 

 opinion that they should not be abandoned without further trial. I doubt, myself, 

 their being profitable in large plantations, as they would hardly receive the neces- 

 sary care, but the amateur would find his labor well rewarded. I have grown English 

 gooseberries for about twenty years, and never failed in raising a crop, when they 

 received proper attention. I know they will mildew, but not worse than the Hough- 

 ton, if the latter is left to itself. 



The gooseberry requires a good, deep soil, replenished annually by some rich com- 

 post, and the ground has to be kept loose and free from weeds, as it has to be 

 mulched. In Europe they train the gooseberry and currant into small trees, about 

 two or three feet high ; this will, however, not do in our climate, but I think we 

 could improve on this method by raising the bush on a single stem, two or three 

 inches high ; this would allow of a better circulation of air and light, two great 

 requisites in gooseberry culture. Let any one try this, and apply the flour of sul- 

 phur once or twice during the season, which I find quite necessary even with the 

 Houghton, and he will be sure to reap his reward by raising a crop of large and 

 delicious berries. 



Cxtrrnnts. 



Of this fruit we have a good many varieties, but only a few that are, with common 

 culture, productive enough to make good returns ; these are, the Red and White 

 Dutch, and the Versailles, the latter with proper attention yielding more, larger and 

 better fruit than the former. Some horticulturists seem to think the Versailles, and 

 the Cherry or Victoria as identical ; this is a mistake ; the latter has shorter bunches, 

 berries larger, dark red, very acid, maturing early, sufl'ering frequently from spring 

 frosts, and being on this account a shy bearer. The Versailles, on the contrary, is 

 as productive as the Red Dutch, bunches long, berries large, transparent red, and 

 having, when fully ripe, less acid than any other currant. The great trouble is 

 only to find the true Versailles, as there are more Red Dutch and other kinds sold 

 under that name than genuine plants. Currants at three dollars per bushel, the 

 average price of the last two years, equal to $500 or §600 per acre, pays well enough, 

 and more should be planted. 



