2o8 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



The gooseberry succeeds admirably trained as single or double upright cordons to 

 wi*e espaliers, either by the side of walks at 1 foot from the edge, or in parallel lines 4 to 

 4 feet 6 inches apart, and 4 to 5 feet in height. In this way they form profitable hedges 

 between flower and vegetable gardens, and are easily protected from frosts in spring 

 and from birds in summer. Single cordons may be planted 9 to 12 inches, and double 

 cordons 18 inches to 2 feet apart. The greater distance is the most satisfactory in the 

 end, especially with the stronger-growing varieties. In the southern parts of the 

 kingdom a fair amount of spray (summer growth) is necessary to protect the fruit from 

 the sun's rays. 



North walls answer in the south for the finer sorts, and in all parts for a late supply 

 of fruit, but this is not equal in quality to that grown in the open. The trees may be grown 

 as uprights with one, two, four or six branches, planting 9 to 12, 18 to 24, 36, and 54 

 inches apart respectively, remembering that it is better to allow the bearing wood to 

 extend a little from the wall than to keep it very close thereto. Gooseberries may be 

 arranged on other aspects, but exoept in cold and late localities they do not succeed 

 against walls facing the south or east, a western exposure being more suitable. 



Planting. The best time to plant is in October or November, as then the roots 

 take to the soil at once if it is well prepared, and has been moistened by autumn rains. 

 Planting, however, may be performed any time from the leaves foiling until the buds 

 commence growing if the ground is in good working order. A little well-decayed 

 manure, mixed with the soil in planting, facilitates root action and free growth. Avoid 

 plants or bushes taken from market to market till all the moisture is extracted from 

 the roots. All broken ends should be cut smooth, and the roots spread out evenly en 

 a convex base, not planting deeper than 4 to 6 inches, and having 6 inches of clear stem 

 above ground, firming the soil well. A forkful or two of partially decayed manure 

 spread on the surface around the stem as far as the roots extend protects them from 

 frost and enriches the soil. 



Training. Open Bushes may be trained in cup form (Vol. I., page 179), with clear 

 stems. A bush a year old from the cutting may have three shoots, and these should be 

 cut back to three or four buds of their base ; if more than three have been produced, 

 shorten the other to one bud. Care should be taken to prune erect-growing varieties 

 to outside buds, and spreading growers to inside buds; pendulous varieties being 

 always cut back to buds pointing upwards. In the following year two shoots 

 should be encouraged from each of the three cut-back branches, and may be 



