GOOSEBERRIES. 69 



there is a wide choice of safer ones for selection. When 

 sold ripe, these are best adapted for supplying local 

 markets, and when sent in quite fresh as required, they 

 will be found a very profitable crop in many of the 

 smaller country towns, being essentially a fruit for the 

 million. 



Besides the caterpillar, there are sparrows, linnets, 

 and other birds that are great enemies to the gooseberry 

 bush, some devouring the young buds during winter, 

 and others the ripe fruit in summer. The best protec- 

 tion from birds is to have the bushes covered with fish 

 or wire netting. Black thread is very useful strung up 

 on the side from which the attack is made, and white 

 hellebore powder is the usual remedy applied for the 

 caterpillar. 



A good dressing of rotten manure or guano, in the 

 spring, is desirable, unless on tolerably rich soil, to 

 bring a heavy crop of gooseberries to maturity. Ked 

 varieties are the most suitable for market. The best 

 sorts include Champagne, Companion, Crown Bob, 

 Lancashire Lad, Warrington, Keen's Seedling, Whin- 

 ham's Industry, and Early Kent. The last two, and 

 Yellow Golden Drop being amongst the earliest to ripen. 

 Snowdrop, Shiner, Whitesmith, Leader, Pet, Greengage, 

 London, and Kambullion, are also superior and large 

 sorts. 



