352 GOOSEBERRIES. 



slope from the back to the front wall, and sashes or boards 

 to be laid on in the winter, and taken away in the spring. 



In such a pit as this, Figs may be raised in the. greatest 

 perfection. Here also maybe kept Oranges, Lemons, &c., 

 without any artificial heat, and with little trouble, except 

 that of training and pruning the trees, and manuring the bor- 

 der ,every spring. A high, dry situation, open to the south, 

 would be the most eligible. 



CHAPTER V. 

 CULTIVATION OF GOOSEBERRIES. 



Propagation. 



Gooseberries are propagated by cuttings ; but where 

 strong cuttings cannot be obtained, shorter ones of six inches 

 in length will be sufficient, planting them so that the two up- 

 per eyes only are above the surface of the bed : these will 

 generally produce two shoots each, the strongest of which, 

 at the end of the year, may be selected to form the stem of 

 the plant, and shortened to the desired height. If one or 

 two small cuttings only can be obtained from a plant for pro- 

 pagation, short lengths of three inches each, including the 

 extremity, may be planted with success, under a hand-glass, 

 leaving only one eye above the surface ; or, which is better, 

 level with the surfaces the month of October is the best 

 time for this purpose. 



In order to have fine, well-flavoured fruit, the bushes must 

 be planted in a good soil and a favourable situation, kept in 

 a state of vigour, and thin of wood by annual prunings, so 

 as to admit plenty of sun, and a free circulation of air. 



The largest berries are grown on vigorous young bushes, 

 which have not more than five or six branches, and allowing 

 only two or three berries to grow on each, or indeed only 

 one berry on each : the latter are invariably those which 

 have carried off the best prize. In dry hot weather, the 

 plants must be supplied with water, and the fruit shaded 

 from the sun for a few hours in the middle of the day. 



