83 



branches with soil, and mulching to preserve moisture during 

 the season of growth. In this way they root easily, and the 

 rooted branches may be cut from the parent plant in the fall, or 

 allowed to remain until the following spring, when they may be 

 at once planted out. 



Most varieties are inclined to form very low, almost trailing, 

 bushes, sending out branches near the ground. As roots push 

 wherever the wood comes in contact with moist soil, nursery 

 men take advantage of this peculiarity of the plant to increase 

 their stock. They have only to bank up their bushes above the 

 intersection of the branches, when each will send out roots, and, 

 when cut loose, form a strong, independent plant. 



We have but few varieties of native gooseberries, and such as 

 we have are much inferior to foreign sorts. Great attention has 

 been given in European countries to the improvement of this 

 fruit by growing new varieties from seeds, so that they can now 

 count them by the hundred, while we have only five or six worth 

 naming. Here, then, is even a wider field open for improve- 

 ment than with the currant. There is the greater occasion for 

 effort in this direction as the foreign varieties can seldom be 

 successfully grown in this country, owing to their liability to 

 mildew. We are forced, however unwillingly, to rely upon 

 natives, poor as they are, as the seedlings of foreign sorts, 

 though grown in this climate, have thus far proved entirely un- 

 reliable. 



The American Pomological Catalogue for 1883 names only 

 six native gooseberries worthy of cultivation, Downing, Hough- 

 ton, Mountain, Orange, Pale Red, and Smith's ; and only three 

 from the long list of foreign sorts, Crown Bob, Roaring Lion, 

 and Whitesmith. These last named will only succeed in skilful 

 hands under the most favorable conditions. 



As before intimated, mildew is the great obstacle to the culti- 

 vation of the foreign gooseberry : neither the foliage nor the 

 fruit will endure our climate. A cool, moist, half-shady situa- 

 tion, close pruning, high manuring, and the free use of sulphur, 

 are the only conditions under which success is sure. Like the 

 currant, all gooseberries delight in a spot where they are pro- 

 tected from the direct rays of our scorching sun and drying 

 winds. Set on the north side of buildings or fences, or in pear 



