The < Canadian Hortk ulti ristj 



GOOSEBERRIES. 



I 



fjiX connection with the test of varieties of gooseberries, it is desirable 

 to give a few practical hints on their propagation, pruning, and 

 culture. The gooseberry is a greedy feeder : it is, therefore, 

 necessary to supply it well with good stable manure, the well 

 rotted being preferable. This should be worked into the soil with 

 a digging fork, to prevent the roots from being damaged, as would be the case 

 if it were dug in with a spade. The best time to put in cuttings is in the fal! : 

 vigorous, firm wood should be selected. If the cuttings can be taken off close 

 to the brand) from which they spring, so much the better. The joints shou 

 be cut off so as to leave the cuttings from ten inches to one foot in length. The 

 buds on the lower end of the cuttings must all be removed. This disbudding 

 should be carried to a height of six or eight inches from the base. By so doing 

 suckers may be prevented. If cuttings are inserted early in the fall, success is 

 almost certain. Propagation from cuttings has a decided advantage over the 

 process of layering. In the former ease the suckers can be entirely done away 

 with, while in the latter, they cannot be prevented. Layering is a sure mode 

 and may be resorted to when any particular variety is required to be speed 

 obtained, though the plants will not lie as handsome as those raised fror 

 cuttings. 



Pruning.— The stem should be kept clean to the height of three or four 

 inches above the surface' of the soil to permit the ground to be well cultivated, 

 close up to the tree. The general system of pruning consists in retaining a 

 moderate supply of strong, healthy, young shoots, from which alone can be 

 expected large fruit. It is best not to head back too much ; it would be better 

 to remove the whole branch. Heading back tends to thicken the bush wit-: 

 shoots, so that gathering the fruit is made very difficult ; therefore we must bear 

 in mind to thin out so that the hand may be passed between the branches with 

 ease. 



The greatest drawback in successful cultivation of the gooseberry is the 

 mildew. Spraying with the following solution just before the buds open in 

 spring, and three times at intervals of three weeks, after the fruit has formed:, 

 will prevent its spreading : 



Take of sulphide of potasium (liver of sulphur), ^ oz., to five gallons of 

 water : apply with a \'m€ spray, such as the Nixon or Cyclone nozzle. 



Experiments were made with the above solution at this Station last season, 

 with good results. Geo. Goote, Hiprt., Oregon Experimental Station. 



