SMALL FRUITS. IQ7 



The cultivated varieties are much superior, both 

 in size, quality and productiveness, to the wild ones. 



They may be planted in rows 5 feet apart and the 

 plants set 4 feet in the rows. Larger and better fruit 

 is obtained by judicious pruning in the fall after 

 growth has ceased. Mulching is also of benefit) 

 and is resorted to by many, on account of the diffi- 

 culty of working closely among the canes, where 

 the thorns are somewhat irritating. 



The gooseberry plant starts the earliest in the 

 spring of any of the small fruits, and if received in a 

 much advanced condition, will not be apt to grow 

 under any but the most favorable conditions. If 

 the tops are cut off to near the ground as soon as 

 planted they will grow readily, and no loss is occa- 

 sioned by it, for it is generally the case that this, 

 or any other plant treated in this way, even if 

 received in the best condition is benefitted by it, 

 and the plant will be as large in the fall as if it 

 had not been cut back. This is of importance. 



Of the European sorts the Industry has given the 

 best results of any, and in some places has been 

 highly praised. The fruit is very large, frequently 

 as large as a large wild plum, and of excellent 

 flavor, but it is better to try them very lightly, as, 

 like all the other foreign varieties introduced here, 

 it is subject to mildew. Where the varieties 

 described below are easily grown its principal value 

 is in its oddity. The bush grows upright and strong 

 under favorable conditions; in leaf and expression 

 it is like the Downing. 



