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HOME FRUIT GROWER 



the more remarkable when it is remembered that in America English 

 varieties are reputed to be very subject to mildew, but that for more 

 than 25 years Mr. Whyte has not sprayed for this trouble, because he 

 could discover no advantage in so doing. He does spray, of course, for 

 Gooseberry worm; but that's a different story altogether. Before 

 quoting Mr. Whyte it may be stated that in Niagara (Ontario) distinct 

 English Gooseberries have been commercially successful on heavy 

 soil when sprayed for mildew with lime-sulphur wash. 



The factors that favor success are highly fertile, heavy soil, moist 

 air and cool temperature. There is no use in attempting to grow 

 Gooseberries unless you have a heavy clay loam, retentive of moisture 



Fig. 93. A trio of home-makers Grapes, Gooseberries and Currants 



and dark in color. In England they are not satisfied with turning 

 the soil a spade deep, but they dig it two feet deep. At the bottom of 

 the trench they manure heavily to have a substratum of fertile material 

 that lasts for many years. One of the evils of light soils is that the 

 roots run along close to the surface. Thus the roots are burned by 

 the sun's heat. To equalize the temperature plant the bushes in 

 partial shade, not under, but in the shade of buildings or trees, so 

 they will have protection part of each day from the excessive heat of 

 the sun. In very dry weather the ground must either be mulched, 

 preferably with manure, or the bushes watered; the former is the 

 more practical, though it may often be unsightly. 



