400 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



2. What kind of soil in best adapted for raising gooseberries ? 



I find a soil composed of sand and clay, mixed by the action of 

 water, and also a heavy clay soil, both yield large crops of fine berries. 

 So also do a few bushes in a yellow loam five feet deep, but they have 

 been treated liberally with hard wood ashes and stable manure, 



My bushes are planted 6X4 feet, and I keep the Planet Horse Hoe 

 runniog between rows about every seven days — less might do. Be- 

 tween bushes I use a shovel hoe. They are very handy for working 

 under large bushes. 



3. What kind of fertilizers do you recommend? 



Stable manure and hard-wood ashes, and you need not be afraid 

 of putting it on thick — it will pay to do so. I used some nitrate of 

 soda last year, and was so pleased with the results that I am using it 

 more liberally this year, 



4. Would oflfal from a tannery be suitable ? 



Being animal matter, I presume yes, but I should prefer to com- 

 post it with stable manure before using, or even with muck or mould. 



5. Do you grow on a single stem ? 



I prefer the shrub form, because of the necessity of renewing the 

 wood at least every three or four years. After about two or three good 

 crops, the wood becomes hide bound, and the fruit runs small. So 

 after two good crops, I cut away the old wood, and have new wood to 

 take the place of that cut away. I strive to have about six stems. 



6. Would you advise planting extensively of Industry, Autocrat 

 and Whitesmith? 



The first two, no. Whitesmith is a noble berry, and where spray- 

 ing is practiced will be satisfactory. For one's own use for eating ripe 

 it is hard to beat the Autocrat, but it has an unfortunate habit of drop- 

 ping its leaves early, and I fear will never be a very profitable berry. 



7. Give your system of pruning? 



Clear away underneath. Thin out the head so that the hand can 

 be easily inserted in all directions. This will allow of a free circula- 

 tion of air. Cutting in I do not practice much, as it induces an abund- 

 ant growth of weak shoots which thicken up the bush during summer. 

 I prune in the fall last thing. 



8. Are not Queen and Chautauqua very nearly alike ? 



Yes, Queen and Chautauqua are very much alike in foliage, 

 vigor, and in shape, size, and appearance of berry, but at this writing 

 Chautauqua shows just a little disposition to drop its leaves, as you 

 remark, but nothing serious. Queen is as green as a leek. 



