AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



83 



Gooseberry continued. 



ground of about 6in., to admit of the soil being hoed and 

 forked underneath. If, on replanting the first year after 

 inserting the cuttings, three shoots can be obtained at 

 this height, they should be shortened to three or four 

 eyes each. The following summer, two new shoots should 

 be secured from each, and the laterals kept stopped for 

 forming spurs, the main branches being cut back to about 

 1ft. the next autumn, and these, in due course, allowed 

 two more each; this being sufficient to form, if evenly 

 regulated, what is considered a perfect tree. Some of 

 the pendulous varieties require propping with forked 

 sticks, to keep the branches and fruit off the ground; 

 others, of an erect, vigorous habit, may require tying 

 down. In the annual pruning of established trees, the 

 spurs should be preserved, and strong, well-ripened shoots 

 of the previous summer retained, so far as practicable, 

 to replace old wood, which does not bear fine fruit. Al- 

 though plenty of room must be allowed each branch 

 for the admission of light and air, it is not well to have 

 them too thin in southern localities, on account of the 

 shade from sunshine afforded the fruit by the leaves. 

 When planted to cover north walls, the fan system of 

 training may be adopted, and part of the old wood 

 annually replaced; or the plants may be inserted, when 

 young, 3ft. apart, and three shoots conducted from each 

 at equal distances perpendicularly, afterwards pruning, in 

 summer, with a view to limiting the production of fruit 

 from spurs. Gooseberries succeed well in such a position ; 

 and if dessert varieties of good constitution are planted, 

 and the necessary protection from birds, &c., is afforded, a 

 supply may be secured much later than from the open 

 ground. 



Insects, $c. The Gooseberry suffers severely from the 

 ravages of several destructive insects, which feed on the 

 leaves so far as to entirely defoliate the trees. The 

 principal depredators are the caterpillars of the Magpie 

 Moth (Abraxas grossulariata) and of Phalcena Vanaria, 

 and the larvae of the Gooseberry and Currant Sawfly 

 (Nematus Ribesii). Hand-picking, persistently practised 

 from the first appearance of the insects, is the most 

 certain cure; but this is almost impossible in extensive 

 collections. Bushes situated near much-frequented walks, 

 or placed under protection from birds, have been observed 

 to become more infested than others fully exposed. This 

 infers that birds of some sort, although it is doubtful 

 which, either eat the insects or carry them away to feed 

 their young. Cuckoos are considered special friends for 

 this purpose ; and sparrows, sparrow-hawks, and tomtits, 

 have also been observed to visit the bushes frequently 

 when infested with caterpillars; but whether for eating 

 them or not, is somewhat uncertain. Lightly syringing 

 the bushes, in the evening, with water, and then dusting 

 with lime or flowers of sulphur, also scattering some of 

 each and some soot round the plants, are means usually 

 adopted as remedies. As most of these insects undergo 

 their transformation in a young state, on or beneath the 

 ground, various methods for destroying them there have 

 been recommended, such as occasionally dusting with 

 newly-slaked lime or Hellebore powder; or covering 

 the soil, in spring, to a depth of 3in., with fresh tan. 

 Great destruction is frequently caused to Gooseberries 

 in some localities by birds, particularly bullfinches, pick- 

 ing out the buds in spring, and also devouring the fruit 

 when ripe. A limited number of trees may be covered 

 with netting; but, in a large collection, it is difficult to 

 stop these attacks, when once begun. 



Sorts. Gooseberries are divided into classes that are 

 distinguished from each other by the colour of the fruits 

 and the absence or presence of hairs on the skins. 

 Varieties in each colour are very numerous, many of the 

 smaller fruits being of the highest flavour, while the 

 larger ones are fit for cooking earlier in the season. 

 Those having red skins are variable in flavour, a large 



Gooseberry continued. 



quantity being more or less acid. On account of theii 

 late-keeping properties, the best red sorts are most 

 valuable for dessert fruit in autumn, after the majority 

 of the others are past. The highest flavour is attained 

 in the amber and yellow varieties, which are very 

 tender in the akin, and mostly early in ripening. Many 

 of the green ones are large, and contain but little pulp 

 in proportion. Others of the same colour are small, 

 but remarkably thin-skinned and rich in flavour when 

 ripe. Amongst white sorts, there are several of good 

 quality, but they are not so generally cultivated as the 

 others. Subjoined is a selection from the leading 

 varieties in each class. Those marked F, are specially 

 recommended for flavour; and others marked s, for size. 



Class I. Fruit with Bed Skin. 



Conquering Hero (S). Fruit dark red, very long and large, a 



little hairy. Branches slender, large, and spreading. 

 Crown Bob. Fruit bright red, of good flavour, roundish-oblong, 



hairy. Branches pendulous. 

 Dan's Mistake (S). Fruit light red, very large, hairy. Branches 



strong, erect. Useful variety for exhibition. 

 Dr. Hogg (F). Fruit purplish-red, long, broad, downy. Branches 



short-jointed, erect, vigorous. 

 Henson's Seedling. Fruit deep red, medium, of good flavour, 



very hairy ; late. Branches erect. An abundant bearer. 

 Ironmonger (F). Fruit dark red, small, hairy. Branches 



spreading. Often confounded with, but inferior to, Bed Cham- 

 pagne. SYN. Hairy Black. 

 Keen's Seedling (F). Fruit bright red, medium, oblong, very 



hairy ; early. Branches pendulous. Great bearer. 

 Lion's Provider. Fruit light red, long, a little hairy. Branches 



long, slender, erect. 

 London (s). Fruit dark red, very large, roundish-ovate, smooth. 



Branches pendulous. A rather tender and uncertain bearer, but 



the largest gooseberry known. 

 Miss Bold (F). Fruit light red, medium, very downy ; early. 



Branches spreading. 

 Monarch. Fruit deep red, very large, oblong, hairy. Branches 



strong, erect. A good bearer. 

 Plough Boy. Fruit light red, shaded yellow, very long, smooth ; 



late. Branches slender, spreading. 

 Raspberry (F). Fruit dark red, small, hairy ; early. Branches 



spreading, pendulous. 

 Bed Champagne (F). Fruit light red, small, roundish-oblong, 



hairy. Branches very erect. A good bearer. SYNS. Countess of 



Errol and Ironmonger of Scotland. 

 Bed Turkey. Fruit dark red, small, obovate, smooth; late. 



Branches somewhat erect. 

 Bed Warrington (F). Fruit red, roundish-oblong, hairy ; late, 



hangs well in autumn. Branches pendulous. One of the best for 



general cultivation. SYKS. Aston Seedling, Volunteer. 

 Rifleman. Fruit red, very large, roundish, hairy. Branches 



erect. A good bearer. 

 Rough Bed (F). Fruit dark red, small, very hairy ; early 



Branches upright, spreading. 

 Wilmot's Early Bed. Fruit dark red, large, smooth. Branches 



pendulous. 

 Wonderful (s). Fruit purplish-red, very large, smooth. Branches 



short-jointed, stiff, very tender in spring. 



Class II. Fruit with Yellow Skin. 



Broom Girl (F). Fruit large, with long stalk ; skin dark yellow, 



hairy ; early and first rate. Branches strong, erect. 

 Catherina (S). Fruit yellow, very large, obovate, slightly hairy. 



Branches slender, spreading. 

 Criterion. Fruit greenish - yellow, medium, a little hairy. 



Branches spreading, pendulous. 

 Drill (s). Fruit greenish-yellow, large, long, smooth; late. 



Branches spreading. 

 Early Sulphur (F). Fruit bright yellow, medium, very hairy; 



early and abundant. Leaves pubescent above. Branches erect. 

 Fanny. Fruit pale yellow, large, round, hairy. Branches erect. 

 Garibaldi (s). Fruit pale yellow, large, long; skin hairy. 



Branches spreading, pendulous. 



Queen (F). Fruit pale yellow, large, smooth; early, 

 ranches slender, pendulous. 

 High Sheriff. Fruit deep yellow, large, round, very hairy. 



Branches spreading, pendulous. 



