GOOSEBERRIES. 



fTlHE "Wild Gooseberry (Ribes grossularia) is a small spreading shrub, with one to 

 three spines under the leaf-buds, and is a native of Siberia and the north of Europe, 

 including many parts of Britain. It grows wild among ruins and in woods, and 

 produces small red fruits. Its cultivation in this country is mentioned by Tusser 

 (1580), and it is extensively cultivated at the present time for home use and the supply 

 of the markets. The fruit is the earliest of the season for cooking in pies and puddings, 

 bottling, or preserving when green ; when ripe it affords a supply for dessert from July 

 to September inclusive, makes excellent jam, also wine little inferior to champagne, 

 and capital vinegar. The gooseberry is highly esteemed by all classes, and the crop is 

 one of the most valuable and remunerative of bush fruits. 



VARIETIES. 



There are a great number of sorts in cultivation ; the small or medium in size of 

 berry, as a rule, possess the highest flavour, yet there are exceptions, and some of the 

 kinds produce large and delicious fruit. Red gooseberries contain the most acid, but 

 some are very sweet and valuable for late keeping ; white varieties vary considerably 

 in quality ; green sorts differ materially : some have thick skins and poor pulp, others 

 are thin-skinned, with sweet or even rich juice ; and yellow varieties range from the 

 lowest to the highest in flavour. 



I. -VARIETIES WITH SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BERRIES. 



RED VARIETIES. 

 KEENS' SEEDLING. Fiuit medium, oblong ; skin bright 



brownish red, very hairy ; growth pendulous, 



earlier than Red Warrington, and a great bearer. 

 RED CHAMPAGNE (Ironmonger of Scotland). Fruit 



small, roundish oblong ; skin light red, hairy ; 



bush very upright, and a capital bearer. 



RED WARRINGTON. Fruit medium, roundish oblong ; 



skin red, hairy ; late, the fruit hanging better than WHITE VARIE 



any other in the autumn. One of the best goose- 

 berries for general cultivation, especially for ripe 

 berries ; bush pendulous, and a good bearer. 



VOL. n. D D 



ROUGH RED (Old Scotch Red). Fruit small, round ; 

 skin red, hairy ; early, excellent flavour, and es- 

 teemed for preserving ; bush erect, spreading, and 

 a free bearer. 



TURKEY RED (Smooth Red). Fruit small, obovate ; 

 skin dark red, smooth ; late, keeps well ; bush 

 semi-erect, spreading, and a good bearer. 



BRIGHT VENUS. Fruit medium, obovate ; skin white, 

 with a distinct bloom, slightly hairy ; hangs well ; 

 bush semi-erect, and a free bearer. 



