THE GOOSEBERRY. 139 



Mulching should be practiced in all cases, except 

 under the highest culture. The constant stirring of 

 the ground keeps the surface covered with a sort of 

 dust mulch, which serves to prevent the escape of 

 moisture from the lower soil ; but if this constant cul- 

 ture cannot be given thoroughly and regularly, it is 

 well to spread a mulch of straw or litter around the 

 gooseberry and currant bushes, especially the goose- 

 berry bushes. 



A favorite method of growing gooseberries and 

 currants on a large scale is in plantations of fruit trees, 

 especially while the trees are young. If planted in 

 vineyards it is recommended that the grape rows be 

 at least ten feet apart. This will allow for three feet 

 in the clear after both grapes and gooseberries have 

 made some lateral growth. 



A recent U. S. Yearbook speaks of the gooseberry 

 as the small fruit "best suited to planting for market 

 by the general farmer, as it interferes less with ordi- 

 nary farm operations than any other." The fruit is 

 long in marketable condition and can be picked with 

 little outside labor. "By protecting the hands and 

 wrists with leather gloves, the green berries may be 

 stripped from the bushes into pails with little injury 

 to either fruit or bush. The fruit is then quickly 

 cleaned of leaves and rubbish by running through a 

 common fanning mill, which completes its prepara- 

 tion for market. ' ' 



Spraying for currant worms has already been de- 

 scribed. See currants. The same worm attacks the 

 gooseberry, and hellebore is the remedy. 



Mildew is best prevented and checked by spraying 

 with potassium sulphide, one-half ounce to a gallon 



