CHAPTER XXVII. 



GOOSEBERRIES. 



T HAVE treated the currant very fully, not only because 

 ■*■ it is the more popular fniit in this country, but also be- 

 cause the greater part of my suggestions under that heading 

 applies equally to this branch of the Ribes tribe. Possess- 

 ing the same general characteristics, it should be treated on 

 the same principles that were seen to be applicable to the 

 currant. It flourishes best in the same cool exposures, and 

 is the better for partial shade. Even in the south of Eng- 

 land the more tender-skinned varieties often scald in the 

 sun. However, I would recommend the shade of a fence 

 or a northern hillside, rather than overhanging branches of 

 trees. A rich soil, especially one that is deep and moist 

 but not wet, is equally requisite, and the rigorous annual 

 pruning is even more essential. As the wood becomes old 

 and black, it should be cut out altogether. Fruit buds and 

 spurs are produced on wood two or more years old, and 

 cutting back causes these, but they must not be allowed to 

 become too crowded. To no fruit are air and light more 

 essential. 



We have in this country two very distinct classes of goose- 

 berries, — the first of foreign origin, and the second consist- 

 ing of our native species. Gray thus describes Ribes 

 grossularia, garden or English gooseberry : " Cultivated 

 from Europe for the well-known fruit ; thorny and prickly, 

 with small, obtuse, three to five lobed leaves, green flowers, 



