THE GENESEE FARMER. 



123 



the summer moutlis when the g-ooseberiy ripen?, per- 

 haps there is no fruit so generally within the reach of 

 all classes. In Lancashire and in some portions of 

 the adjoining towns, almost every one who h.as a par- 

 den cultivates the gooseberry with a view to ])rizes 

 given at what are called '• Gooseberry Prize Meet- 

 ings." By very liberal prizes awarded at these shows 

 — which vary from ^2.50 to $25 and even to $50 — 

 they have been grown to enormous sizes, in many 

 instances weighing more than one and a half ounces 

 each. The fruit is used for tarts, pies, sauces and 

 creams before ripe, and when at maturity it forms a 

 rich dessert fruit for three months. 



^\'ith us it has not attained the prominence among 

 the fruits of this country wliich it deserves. The 

 mildcir, which attacks the plants and half grown 

 fruil, is the great pest of those who arc unacquainted 



To keep the ground about the plant moist during 

 our hot summer months, it is reconnnended to mulch 

 the ground aliout the plants with spent tan-bark, or 

 coarse litter ; saw-dust or chips accumulated in a 

 wood-house are excellent. 



In selecting sorts from the nurseries, those should 

 be procured which aie among the best and hardiest 

 Lancashii-e varieties. Among those kinds best suited 

 for cultivation in this climate are the following, which 

 were recommended by the J'omological Congress: 

 Houifhton's Hcfdlinsj^, Jf'hilcsmiih, Croicnhoh, Red 

 Champagne, U arr'mgton, Laurel, Early Svlphvr, 

 Ironmonger, Green Gage, Green Walnut. 



In this number we give a cut of Houghton's Seed- 

 ling gooseberry. It is an American seedling, and is 

 supposed to be a cross between our native gooseberry 

 and a Lancashire sort. Though not huge nor of the 



IIOUGIITOX S SF.KDLIXO fiOOSBERRV. 



with its culture, and also to the successful grower. ■ highest flavor, it is N'cry valuable, as it is a great 

 To prevent or cure this disease, a great many means j bearer ; and both the plant and the fruit have as yet 

 Lave l)een resorted to, and we would reconni;end the \ been jierfectly free from mildew, 

 following treatment: j ^.-s- , 



To ])roduce good and perfect fruit of any kind, it j SEKDLIXG APPLES. 



is all important that the plant should be in tljc most j 



vigorous and healthy state, but not to any variety j Fhikm) Lkk — Dear Sir: — I have taken the liberty 

 more than the gooseberry. It imifurmly succeeds ' to foi ward thee by express a box of seedling a]iples, 

 Uest in a rich strong loani and deep soil. ' and would like to hear thy opinion relative to their 



Invariahly it should be pruned up to a single stem, ' merits or demerits thnnigh the pages of the Far.mkk, 

 from lour to twelve inches above the ground; ami all , or otherwise, as nuiy be most convenient. The red 

 oflslioots or suckers should be cut ofl'as s(jon as they ! one I have named Southern Spy, as it somewhat re- 

 make their appearance. It is absolutely necessary to \ sembles the JVorlhern Spy. 1 know it to be a seed- 



give it a regular and liberal ]iruning: t\n<l the branches 

 i'e(|iiire thorough thinning to allow the light and siir 

 to pass freely through every part of the head oi the 

 plant. Every autunm that part of the garden devoted 



ling. The old tree is now dead. My father pulled 

 up luvu- sprouts or suckers from the old tree, and set 

 iliem in his garden; one of them died; the other 

 three are now lai-ge l)eariug trees. It is a great 



to the gooseberry should receive a good cuat of well-' Learei', every other year bearing qualities similar to 

 rottetl manure, forked or spaded in. | the Greening, but the tree is more luxuriant. It is 



