CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 311 



branches, thus making twelve in all. The Gooseberry bush will 

 then have a good foundation. When afterwards other branches are 

 allowed, if there is room for them, be careful that they do not 

 originate from buds pointing downwards or inwards, or they will 

 defeat the object of the cultivator, which should be to keep the 

 branches fchinly disposed so as to admit all sun and air possible. 



Summer Treatment. During the summer months, lateral growths 

 will push from the branches, in addition to the natural fruit spurs 

 that form upon them. The strongest of these should be pinched back 

 to five or six leaves. The object of thus pinching the shoots in sum- 

 mer time is to prevent overcrowding and to encourage the formation 

 of fruit buds at the base of the shoots so pruned. This is better than 

 allowing the latter to go unchecked until the winter, and then to 

 shorten them down. The Gooseberry bears fruit remarkably well 

 upon wood of the previous year's growth, as well as upon spurs that 

 form on the older wood. This fact should not be forgotten, and 



GOOSEBERRY SHOOT IN FRUIT (PREVIOUS SUMMER'S WOOD, SHOWING 

 ADVANTAGE OF YOUNG GROWTH) 



wherever there is room to introduce a shoot, instead of pinching 

 as above described, allow it to develop, and simply shorten it 

 slightly in winter. The following year it may be expected to bear 

 fruit. 



Keep the surface of the ground well hoed throughout the summer 

 months ; it will then be kept free from weeds and the soil will not lose 

 so much of its moisture, as if the ground were allowed to become hard. 

 When the fruits are swelling, they are greatly assisted by well water- 

 ing the ground, and especially so if a covering of manure is first 

 put down. 



Winter Treatment. At the annual early winter pruning the 

 leading branches should be left about eight or nine inches long, until 

 the bush has reached the desired height and size. Then cut them 

 back every year to two buds. When a branch becomes old, and bears 

 little fruit, cut it away, so that a younger one may grow up to take 

 its place ; a far better crop of fruit will thus be obtained. In fact 

 the cultivator should endeavour to introduce as much young wood as 



