94 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



and other refuse substances are largely used in Kent at the rate of 1 to 2 tons per 

 acre, and being of a slow decomposing nature they are applied at somewhat distant 

 intervals, a portion of the plantation receiving a dressing in turn. Where solid manure 

 is only occasionally used stimulants are given in the intervening years. Nitrogenous 

 manures are essential to enable the trees to sustain heavy crops and secure early berries. 

 Soot 80 bushels or more per acre is used in some districts, applying it early in the 

 spring. This dressing may follow farmyard manure in the second year. In the third 

 season superphosphate and kainit in equal parts may be supplied just before digging 

 tho ground, spreading the mixture under the branches and for a foot beyond, at the 

 rate of 3| pounds per rod, and when growth begins in the spring, sprinkle powdered 

 nitrate of soda similarly on the ground at the rate of 2 pounds per rod rather less 

 where naturally damp. This method of manuring applies to all plantation fruits, and 

 is recommended as efficient and economical. The ground should be dug with a four- 

 pronged fork in the winter, extracting perennial, and burying annual, weeds with the 

 manure. This insures a loose surface that rain can enter freely, and facilitates hoeing, 

 which should be done during the summer as necessary. Liquid manure and mulching are 

 of great benefit, particularly in shallow soils. This applies to all bush and plantation 

 fruits, for trees often fail to swell their crops properly in hot and dry seasons for 

 lack of liquid nourishment and mulching to maintain uniform moisture in the soil. 



It is best to gather the fruit in its green state from recently planted gooseberry 

 bushes for the first few years, as this enables them to recuperate each season, and make 

 free progress, which is not the case when heavy crops are allowed to ripen. After the 

 bushes become well-established and vigorous, a portion of the berries are picked 

 directly they are large enough for sending to market. A few of the earliest green 

 gooseberries for puddings and tarts sometimes bring 8d. per pound or Is. per quart. 

 Sheltered situations are necessary to secure berries for very early gathering. As much 

 as 120 per acre net has been cleared in one season for green gooseberries between 

 standard plum trees, the gooseberry bushes being 5 feet, the plum trees 20 feet apart, 

 and the value of the plums was returned at 80 == 200 per acre. This is recorded 

 as a feat in cultivation. The price for early green gooseberries usually commences at 

 4d. per pound or 6d. per quart, but the general price soon reaches the average of lid. 

 to 2d. per pound, or 2d. to 3d. per quart. Gathering the berries green insures a heavier 

 constant yield than would be the case were all the crop left to ripen. Some growers 

 recuperate any weakly or overborne bushes by gathering the whole crop while green. 



