304 Remarks on the Culture of Exotic Vegetable/}. 



this colony; but, in the autumnal or winter pruning", the 

 leading- shoots should be left somewhat longer, in proportion, 

 than is done in the vine. 



The fruit is acid and cooling; the juice of the fruit, with 

 sugar, is drank as lemonade ; it also, with the addition of 

 sugar, makes a pleasant wine. 



RIBES uva crispa. Smooth gooseberry. } Kruizbe- 

 grosstjlaeia. Rough gooseberry, j zie. 



By the list of plants cultivated in the once interesting gar- 

 den of the Cape, this shrub appears to have been introduced 

 to the colony at the same period as the currant; several 

 varieties of the seeds and plants have been brought of late 

 years to the country, but without beneficial results, as the 

 fruit yet remains a stranger to our market ; hence, many per- 

 sons who have long resided in the colony infer, that the fruit 

 cannot be produced here; but this is not the case: I have 

 frequently seen the smooth-fruited kind here; and, particu- 

 larly, a very fair sample of them produced at Stellenberg, 

 near Wynberg, in 1820. 



The gooseberry requires much the same treatment as the 

 currant ; but care must be taken in the summer pruning to 

 divest the leading stems of superfluous spray or water-shoots. 

 In raising plants from seeds there is one great advantage, 

 viz. that it is likely to produce many new and superior varie- 

 ties. This plant also requires attentive cultivation by frequent 

 manure and careful pruning, or the fruit will degenerate. 

 It may be trained as espaliers to advantage; and as small 

 standards, keeping the stem free from any suckers which 

 may be thrown up by the roots. Attention to this circum- 

 stance is also necessary in the currant. 



The juice of the berries is used as a sauce for fish, and is 

 astringent; but when very ripe, laxative ; and makes an ex- 

 cellent vinegar. The red hairy kinds make a superior Cham- 

 pagne. The seeds, washed and roasted, are a substitute for 

 coffee. 



In the environs of Cape Town, where those plants have 

 been injudiciously exposed to a northern aspect, the plant 

 has become an evergreen, and being constantly growing, and 

 without the necessary rest, can never produce fruit. In the 

 colder districts of the colony there is no doubt of its thriving", 

 particularly in the Sneeuwberg, Langekloof, and Bokkeveld. 



