GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



464 



in the soil, and then leave a stem 8 inches or 10 inches above 

 ground. Thoroughly eradicate the buds from the lower portion of the 

 stem, or growths will eventually push from them and prove annoying. 



Such growths are known as 

 suckers, and, if allowed to 

 grow, soon crowd into and in- 

 terfere with the development of 

 the branches proper, besides 

 having an untidy appearance 

 and preventing a free use of 

 the hoe and the application of 

 manure. The more one cuts 

 them back the stronger they 

 reappear. The only way to 

 destroy them is to get down to 

 the buds, whence they originate, 

 and cut them completely out. 

 This, however, cannot be done 

 without injury to the roots ; it 

 is therefore wise to make sure 

 that the bud is properly re- 

 moved in the first place. After 

 them out in rows on a shady 



FIG. 57. Young Gooseberry bush, showing 

 first branches. 



Cross lines indicate where to cut back to at 

 winter pruning. 



having prepared the cuttings plant 



border. Make the rows 1 2 inches apart, and let the cuttings be about 

 6 inches from each other in the rows. This work should be done as 

 soon as the cuttings are 

 ready October or early 

 November. The following 

 autumn transplant them into 

 rows 1 8 inches apart, with a 

 distance of 12 inches be- 

 tween each. After another 

 year has passed they may 

 be placed in their permanent 

 quarters in the garden. 



Forming and Training 

 the Bush. Suppose that 

 the prepared cutting has 

 passed safely through the 

 winter, and that the buds 

 have pushed into growth. 

 Four or five buds may have 

 been left at the apex of the 

 cutting; it is therefore safe 

 to assume that three of them 



have commenced to grow. If such be not the case the cutting is not 

 worth keeping. The object of removing the lower buds in preparing the 

 cutting, besides guarding against suckers, was to obtain a clear stem of 



FIG. 58. Gooseberry bush, showing six branches 

 at end of second year's growth. 



