100 FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION. 



simple and effective method, where there are only a few 

 trees to deal with, is winding black cotton freely over 

 the bushes. The birds cannot see this until they come 

 into actual contact with it, then they become startled 

 and fly off. The next best plan, where a number of trees 

 are grown, is to spray them with a mixture of quicklime, 

 sulphur, soft soap, and water. This will adhere to the 

 bushes, and prevent the birds touching the buds. See 

 chapter on " Pests," further on. 



When the fruit has attained a fair size, it is advisable 

 to thin out the berries, so as to relieve the strain on the 

 tree, and also assist in the development of larger fruits. 

 This is especially necessary in the case of cordons, stan- 

 dards, and fan-trained trees. The Lancashire growers 

 thin their berries out severely, and place saucers of water 

 under each berry, the water nearly touching the latter, so 

 as to encourage the fruit to swell. 



See also to manuring and watering the trees, as advised 

 for Currants. The ripe fruit may be protected by enclos- 

 ing the bushes in fish-netting. 



Pests. The leaves are subject to the attack of the 

 larvae of the Magpie, Dot, and Winter Moths, the Red- 

 legged Weevil, Gooseberry Sawfly, the Gooseberry Aphis, 

 and Red Spider; and the fruit to the larvae of the Allied 

 Sawfly. 



Diseases. The most serious of the diseases is the 

 American Gooseberry Mildew ; and others are the Goose- 

 berry Die-Back, Black Rust, Leaf-cluster Cup, and Leaf 

 Mildew. See chapter on "Diseases." 



Varieties for Dessert. 



We propose to confine our selection to eighteen varie- 

 ties, believing that these will afford an ample number 

 for the average grower to cultivate: 



Broom Girl. Fruit, very large and hairy. Shape, 

 roundish. Colour, yellowish. Flavour, excellent. Sea- 

 son, early. Free bearer. 



