292 GOOSEBERRY. 



branch. The superfluous young laterals on the good main 

 branches, instead of being taken off clean, may be cut into 

 little stubs of one or two eyes, which will send out fruit 

 buds and spurs. 



Some persons not pruning the Gooseberry bush on righS 

 principles, cause it to shoot crowdedly full of young wood 

 in Summer, from which the fruit is always small, and does 

 not ripen freely with full flavour ; on which account it js an 

 important point in pruning, to keep the middle of the head 

 open and clear, and to let the occasional shortening of the 

 shoots be sparing and moderate. Between the bearing 

 branches keep a regulated distance of. at least six inches at 

 the extremities, which will render them fertile bearers of 

 good fruit. 



The prize cultivators of this fruit in Lancashire, arc 

 particular in preparing a very rich soil, and they water 

 occasionally with liquor which drains from dunghills ; and 

 there are some, who, not content with watering at the root 

 and over the top, place a small saucer of water under each 

 Gooseberry, only six or eight of which are left on a bush ; 

 this is technically called suckling* There are others that 

 ring some of the branches ; this is done by cutting out small 

 circles of bark round them, and by pinching off a great 

 part of the young wood, the strength is thrown to the fruit. 



Unripe Gooseberries may be preserved in bottles against 

 Winter : some after filling the bottles in a dry state, stand 

 them in a slow oven, or in hot water, so as to heat them 

 gradually through without cracking them ; they will keep 

 a whole year, if closely corked, and sealed as soon as cold. 



The Gooseberry may be forced in pots or boxes, plaqed 

 in pits, or in the peach house or vinery. "Hay, plants in 

 pots in November, removes to the peach-house in January ,. 

 and has ripe fruit in the end of April, which he sends to 

 table growing on the plants." (Hort^ Trans. 4. 415.). 



