186 GOOSEBERRIES. 



be obtained, shorter ones of six inches in length will be 

 sufficient, planting them so that the two upper eyes only 

 are above the surface of the bed : these will generally 

 produce two shoots each, the strongest of which, at the 

 end of the year, may be selected to form the stem of the 

 plant, and shortened to the desired height. If one or 

 two small cuttings only can be obtained from a plant for 

 propagation, short lengths of three inches each, includ- 

 ing the extremity, may be planted with success, under 

 a hand-glass, leaving only one eye above the surface ; or, 

 which is better, level with the surface : the month of 

 October is the best time for this purpose. 



In order to have fine, well-flavoured fruit, the bushes, 

 as directed for Currants, must be planted in a good soil 

 and a favourable situation, kept in a state of vigour, and 

 thin of wood by annual prunings, so as to admit plenty of 

 sun, and a free circulation of air. 



The largest berries are grown on vigorous young 

 bushes, which have not more than five or six branches, 

 and allowing only two or three berries to grow on each, 

 or indeed only one berry on each : the latter are inva- 

 riably those which have carried off the best prize. In 

 dry hot weather, the plants must be supplied with water, 

 and the fruit shaded from the sun for a few hours in the 

 middle of the day. 



Cultivation of Gooseberries and Currants. ^ 



Gooseberries and Currants, when planted in the open 

 quarters of a garden, require similar treatment j there- 

 fore such directions as are given for one may be strictly 

 applied to the other, with but a very trifling deviation, 

 which will be explained towards the sequel of this article. 



Confining myself for the present to the Gooseberry, 

 1 must observe with regard to its early management, 



