CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 



465 



several inches between the ground and the lowest branches of the 

 bush. Allow the shoots that will develop from three of the buds 

 upon the upper end of the cutting to grow freely throughout the 

 summer, and also laterals that make their appearance. In early winter 

 prune the three principal shoots back to about 6 inches in length, 

 and cut all the laterals to within half an inch of the base. The follow- 

 ing spring two shoots should be allowed to develop from the three 

 primary branches that were shortened in winter. At the close of the 

 second summer there will thus be six branches. Next winter shorten 

 these also to within about 10 inches of their bases. In spring encourage 

 two more shoots from each of the six branches, thus making twelve in 

 all. The Gooseberry bush will then have a good foundation. When 

 afterwards other branches are allowed, if there is room for them, be 

 careful that they do not originate from buds pointing downwards or 

 inwards, or they will defeat the object of the cultivator, which should 

 be to keep the branches thinly disposed so as to admit all sun and air 

 possible. 



Summer Treatment. During the summer months, lateral growths 

 will push from the branches, in addition to the natural fruit spurs 



FIG. 59. Gooseberry shoot in fruit (previous summer's wood, showing 

 advantage of young growth). 



that form upon them. The strongest of these should be pinched back 

 to five or six leaves. The object of thus pinching the shoots in summer 

 time is to prevent overcrowding and to encourage the formation of 

 fruit buds at the base of the shoots so pruned. This is better than 

 allowing the latter to go unchecked until the winter, and then to 

 shorten them down. The Gooseberry bears fruit remarkably well 

 upon wood of the previous year's growth, as well as upon spurs that 

 form on the older wood. This fact should not be forgotten, and 

 wherever there is room to introduce a shoot, instead of pinching 

 as above described, allow it to develop, and simply shorten it 

 slightly in winter. The following year it may be expected to bear 

 fruit. 



Keep the surface of the ground well hoed throughout the summer 



2 G 



