350 MULCHING THE GOOSEBERRY PLANT. 



is past ; but, when they do vegetate, they progress 

 with great rapidity. This is of so great importance 

 that the balance of success often turns upon it, and 

 yet it is the very operation which is generally most 

 neglected. 



The gooseberry is very sensibly affected by changes 

 in the amount of aqueous vapor in the atmosphere, 

 as well as in temperature, which produce mildew 

 upon its fruit. If some material, such as has already 

 been named, or charcoal dust, be spread upon the 

 ground about the bushes, it will often prevent these 

 diseases. The annual application of these substan- 

 ces will produce a mould very favorable for the 

 perfection of this berry. Tan has a peculiar value, 

 as it throws off an effluvia which is destructive to 

 insects, or prevents the deposit of their larvae. 



If once commenced, it should be continued. If 

 omitted for a season, the tender fibres, which have 

 been encouraged to come to the surflxce, will be 

 destroyed by exposure to the parching rays of the 

 sun, or by the severe cold of the winter, intermitted 

 by thaws. It should be either constant, or neglected 

 altogether. When trees have attained sufficient 

 size to shade all the ground, it will not be so neces- 

 sary, as this answers the same purpose, at least 

 during the summer. Its value is very clearly seen 

 in the culture of the strawberry. This originally 

 received its name from the fact that straw was placed 

 under the vines for the purpose which we have 

 stated, and to keep the fruit clean. 



