CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 463 



south. This position is too hot. This refers more especially to the 

 southern part of England. In the northern and midland counties wall 

 protection would be beneficial. 



Planting should be performed during October and November. 

 Several weeks before planting prepare the ground by digging, and 

 mix with it some manure at the same time. Be sure that the hole 

 to receive the Gooseberry bush is sufficiently large for the roots when 

 spread out, and that it is slightly higher in the centre than at the sides. 

 After the roots have been fully extended and carefully covered over, 

 make the soil quite firm by treading. Bush plants, in the open, are 

 planted in rows 6 feet apart, with a distance of about 5 feet between 

 each plant in the row. The character of each variety should be con- 

 sidered when making a plantation ; for instance, early and late sorts 

 must not be placed side by side, nor strong growing varieties close to 



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PU.nl ?---* * P 



FIG. 56. Distance to plant Gooseberry bushes. 



weak ones. In the former case the work of netting is facilitated (the 

 same nets will do for both if these are kept separate); and in the 

 latter the vigorous bushes do not overcrowd the others, as would occur 

 were both planted indiscriminately. 



Propagation, The Gooseberry is easily increased; the best 

 method being that of taking cuttings, which are formed of a portion 

 of the growth made during the previous summer. They are taken 

 from the bush in the autumn, just as the leaves fall, and are cut 

 to about 12 or 15 inches in length. Endeavour to select 

 straight, firm, and short-jointed wood. All the buds except those 

 within about 5 inches of the top of the cutting must be removed. 

 Shoots will eventually develop from these buds to form the primary 

 branches of the bush. The opposite end of the cutting i.e. where 

 the buds were cut out is inserted in the ground, 5 inches or 6 

 inches deep. First, take the shoot from the bush, and prepare it 

 afterwards. It is not always possible to obtain the cuttings of one 

 particular length, but whether the latter are rather longer or shorter 

 than the above dimensions does not signify. The object in view is to 

 have a firm shoot the buds of which have been removed to within 

 about 5 inches of its apex sufficiently long to be placed 6 inches 



