CHAPTER XXIV. 



THE GOOSEBERRY. 



WITH the advent of the practice of applying fungicides new 

 possibilities are opened up for success in propagating and ob- 

 taining satisfactory and profitable crops of the superb varieties 

 of these fruits, so much esteemed abroad. The field is an in- 

 viting and a promising one, and offers opportunities to the 

 painstaking cultivator which will no doubt prove encouraging 

 and remunerative. Few even of our native varieties of goose- 

 berries are wholly free from mildew, and no one who plants 

 them should neglect spraying. 



The propagation, pruning, and cultivation of the gooseberry 

 are similar to that of the currant (see p. 386). 



Of the English gooseberries many hundreds have been 

 named and described, and large numbers have been imported 

 and tried in this country, but they have so generally mildewed 

 and become worthless after bearing a year 

 or two that they have been mostly dis- 

 carded. A few of the best are included 

 in the list below and in the Index of 

 Fruits. 



I. EUROPEAN VARIETIES. 



Chautauqua.* Bush vigorous, sometimes 

 mildewing; fruit large, roundish oblong, 

 smooth, pale green, of the very best qual- 

 ity. Unexcelled for home use. New York. 



Columbus.* Large, oval, greenish-yellow, 

 smooth, very good. Hardy, vigorous, pro- 

 ductive, free from mildew. Fig. 534. A 

 valuable mid-season sort. American seed- 

 ling, FIG. 534. Columbus. 



Crown Bob. (Melling's Crown Bob.) Large, often an inch and 

 a fourth long, roundish oval, red, hairy ; flavor of first quality ; 

 early ; branches spreading or drooping. England. Fig. 535. 



Industry.* Very large, oval, dark red, hairy. Vigorous upright 



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