278 HORTICULTURAL MANUAL. 



a fruit for dessert and culinary use the gooseberry has not 

 as yet come into such general use as in England, but its 

 use is gradually increasing. It is now found in most home 

 gardens and is grown commercially near our larger cities. 

 With the increased use of the fruit the European distinc- 

 tion between dessert and culinary varieties will be recog- 

 nized and increased interest taken in the development of 

 new and improved varieties by hybridizing, seedling pro- 

 duction, and selection. 



269. Propagation and Culture. The gooseberry is closely 

 related to the currant, and is propagated in nearly the 

 same way. The wood does not ripen as early as that of 

 the currant, and there is less gain in the fall planting of 

 the cuttings. The most successful mode yet tested is to 

 tie the cuttings with willow bands in small bundles and 

 bury on dry ground for early spring planting. For home 

 use, or even more extended propagation for sale, layering 

 is practised (53). The young wood bent down and covered 

 in the spring will make strong plants for planting the next 

 spring. Some varieties, like the Champion, will emit 

 roots from near the points of growth without aid where 

 they reach the earth in moist seasons. 



Growing from seed is only practised by those who wish 

 to secure new varieties by selecting the best of the seed- 

 lings. The surest method with small lots of seed is to 

 mash the berries in sand in jar or box and bury outside for 

 winter freezing, or in warmer climates they may be kept 

 anywhere where the sand can be kept moist. In the 

 spring plant sand and seed together in shallow box or 

 boxes, to be kept in the shade until perfect leaves are 

 developed on the seedlings. If not sown too thickly the 

 plants are exposed to the sun late in the season and not 

 planted in rows for trial until the next spring. 



