148 OUR COMMON FRUITS. 



with copious libations of liquid manure poured at its 

 roots, the "fancy" partially submerge each berry in a 

 shallow vessel of water placed immediately beneath it, 

 thus compelling a continual absorption of moisture until, 

 under this hydropathic treatment, the most dropsical 

 dimensions are attained. Screens of paper or canvas are 

 kept, too, in constant readiness to be put on or off accord- 

 ing to the degree of sunshine that may be required, and 

 the most watchful care shown lest the slightest injury 

 should befall the tenderly fostered darling. 



"Lest the sun be glaring, 



Or the wind too daring, 



What fond fears are shown; 



For its welfare caring 

 Far more than for their own." 



Of course the "beauty" is not intended to "blush 

 unseen" when the perfection so assiduously striven for 

 shall at length have been attained, and each owner of 

 promising fruit therefore enters his name as an intend- 

 ing competitor at some neighbouring " Show," and sub- 

 scribes a small amount weekly towards the providing of 

 the silver sugar-tongs, or copper tea-kettle, or sum of 

 money which will be adjudged to the grower of the most 

 gigantic of all the fructal giants that may be produced ; 

 each fruit, however, only competing with others of its 

 own complexion, red with red, yellow with yellow, &c., 

 &c., and the rank of the respective rivals being deter- 

 mined by their weight. Seventy or 80 years ago it was 

 thought a grand thing for a gooseberry to outweigh a 

 guinea, while now a berry would hardly presume to enter 

 the lists at an exhibition if it could not make at least five 

 sovereigns kick the beam ; and on one occasion the hero 

 of the day at Manchester was a red-skinned mammoth, 

 (for the red fruit always exceed in size any other) weigh- 

 ing no less than 37 dwts. 7 grs. The parent plant, too, 

 comes in for a share of the honours achieved by its off- 

 spring, and brings sometimes no small profit to its owner; 

 for cuttings from plants of reputation are in great request, 

 and thus the division of a single bush not unfrequently 

 secures a sum of 20 guineas, and one has been known to 



