CHAP. XI VILLA GARDENING 293 



condition, it is advantageous to permit as much growth as there is 

 room for, for the sake of the shelter afforded in cold springs, and 

 such bushes seldom fail to bear immense crops. By the regida- 

 tion of the young wood the cultivator can ensure pretty well what 

 crop he likes. In pruning one of tliese naturally-grown bushes the 

 first thing is to cast the eye over the bush and note its sJ^nmet^y, 

 for it is just as easy to have handsome shapely bushes as uneven 

 sprawling ones. Any bi-auches that are getting near the groimd 

 should be cut back. The weight of the crop has a tendency to 

 drag the branches downwards, and a little annual trimming will 

 be required to keep them off the ground. Next open out 

 the centre of the bush, removing all branches showing a tendency 

 to cross over. Afterwards the remainder of the bush is thinned 

 regularly, cutting out an old branch where crowded and leaving a 

 young one to take its place. It is the constant renewal, by a 

 gradual removal of the old and a substitution of the young, which 

 makes this system answer so well, especially in bad seasons. The 

 bushes may not look so regular in shape as when trained more 

 exactly, but they are longer lived and more profitable, and when full 

 of fohage and heavily laden they have not an imgraceful appear- 

 ance. In beginning with a plantation of yomig bushes it is neces- 

 sary to have some definite object in view, and prime accordingly ; 

 but it is next to impossible to obtain heavy crops of berries with- 

 out leaving in plenty of young wood, and all those who are dis- 

 satisfied with the crop they obtain may increase it next year by 

 altering the system of pruning. 



Pyramidal Gooseberries. — -Though the bush form is the 

 natural one for the Gooseberry, yet it will easily assume any other, 

 if the necessary supports are available and time is given to the 

 training. By starting Avith a young bush before it has been much 

 primed, placing a 6-foot stake to it, selecting the strongest shoot 

 for the leader, and tying it to the stake, allowing the other branches 

 to grow out in tiers, a graceful pyramid will be formed in a few 

 years, which, if not pruned too closely, will bear very heavy crops. 

 It must not be permitted to grow too fast, or the bottom will be- 

 come naked, and then the intended object will be defeated. Some 

 kinds of Gooseberries are erect in their habit of growth, and others 

 have a drooping tendency. These peculiarities must be noted and 

 corrected either by pruning or, in the case of the drooping kinds, 

 such as the Red Warrington, giving timely assistance when young. 



Planting and Manuring. — After the cuttings are well rooted 

 the young trees shoiUd be planted in nursery rows 18 inches apart 

 and 1 foot from each other in the rows. This will give space to 

 get them into shape, and fit them for removal to the quarter where 



