The Gooseberry. 145 



heaviest yellow, as required per programme. A berry 

 is then produced, weighed with an accuracy of minuteness 

 that would have been rapture to old Shylock, and the 

 weight carefully noted in writing by a secretary. This 

 process is repeated until everything brought for competi- 

 tion has been tested, the berry which lies quietly in the 

 scale until defeated by a heavier one, taking the honours 

 when all is over. At one of the recent Harborne shows 

 four hundred and fifty berries were weighed, and of these 

 ninety-five took prizes, then suffering the usual decapi- 

 tation, " topping and tailing," so as to be disqualified for 

 competition anywhere else. The entire performance 

 occupies three to four hours. 



The weights attained by the mode of culture described 

 are often astonishing. Among the largest gooseberries 

 shown at the Old Trafford Exhibition, August 4th, 1884, 

 were many which exceeded 25 dwts. In the " Goose- 

 berry-growers' Register" (for these enthusiasts have an 

 Annual of their own), examples are recorded of 30 dwts., 

 and of weights up even to 37, beyond which, it would 

 seem, no grower has yet succeeded in going. This last- 

 named prodigious weight was attained by one of the 

 celebrated red variety called " London." Every atom of 

 the kindly regard due to honest industry, indefatigable 

 perseverance, and honourable emulation, is well deserved 

 by these simple-hearted gooseberry-growers. Far better 

 that their leisure and their powers should be devoted to 

 the production of big gooseberries than to pursuits which, 

 if not actually demoralizing, can never be in any degree 

 u 



