GOOSEBERRIES TRA INTNG. 



203 



pegged outwards if erect-growing after they become sufficiently set to bend, whilst 

 the pendulous may be raised by forked sticks thrust in the ground. Any shoots that 

 start beyond those named must be shortened in summer, and cut back to an inch of 

 their base in the autumn to form spurs, the leading shoots being then shortened to 6 

 inches if weak, or to 8 inches if strong, observing to cut to outside or inside buds as the 

 bushes are erect or spreading. 



The third year each leading shoot of the preceding season will produce two leading 

 shoots twelve to each bush, which form the requisite number of branches for an 

 ordinary bush, and these ought to be evenly disposed around the stem. 



Though a cup-shaped bush is the orthodox method of training the gooseberry, 

 and found to answer in northern locations, in the southern districts of England it is 



Fig. 63. ERECT AND PENDULOUS GOOSEBERRY BUSHES. 



References :I, cutting prepared and inserted in the ground. /, erect-growing bush in the autumn of the first 

 year from the cutting, showing bars for pruning to outside buds ; dotted lines growths in the year following. K, 

 pendulous bush, one year from the cutting : bars for shortening to upper buds ; dotted lines growths in second year ; 

 q, sucker properly detached from the socket ; r, sucker cut wrongly at the dotted bar. L, erect bush in the second 

 year : s, branches in growth ; t, side shoot pinched ; u, branches in autumn ; v, point of shortening pinched side shoot ; 

 ', point of pruning branches to outside buds ; x, soil removed from the roots ; ?/, rich compost or manure placed in the 

 opening ; s, fresh soil placed on winter dressing. 



considered desirable to have the centre of the bush closer, as this prevents the sun 

 scorching the fruit ; but it is necessary everywhere to have the branches -so far 

 apart as to admit the hand between them, alike for facilitating gathering and to allow 

 light and air to penetrate to the base of the branches so as to insure the most and finest 

 fruits. The simpler mode of training alluded to is merely the cup-shaped bush with 

 the centre filled in, the cuttings being prepared and inserted in precisely the same 

 manner as described on page 206, and illustrated page 99, Vol. I. As this system is the 

 one most generally practised an illustration will be of service to the uninitiated. 



YOL. II. E B 



