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GOOSEBERRIES (Ribes grossularia) 



Low, deciduous shrubs, stems mostly thorny at the base of the 

 leaf-stalks ; in some the thorns are scattered. Fruit : one-celled 

 berry, produced in small clusters, smooth or prickly. 



They are strongly acid fruits that come early in the season, and 

 in the cooler and high level localities should be grown largely for 

 family use. In such localities any good soil well cultivated and 

 manured will grow good crops of gooseberries. They respond well 

 to liberal applications of potash. In Europe this is one of the 

 popular berries, and small fruit-growers figure on obtaining greater 

 profit from the gooseberry crop than from any other shrub fruit. 

 They require annual pruning, mulching, and some attention. 



The bushes may be set in rows 5ft. or 6ft. apart, with a space 

 of 4ft. between. Gooseberry culture has not, so far, attained the 

 importance in Australia which is devoted to it in England, mainly 

 on account of the thorny nature of the bushes. By dint of 

 persevering attention, however, some varieties of spineless 

 gooseberries have been obtained and established, the colours of 

 which range from rose to almost black. 



Layering is a sure and quick method of propagating the 

 gooseberry ; suckers are rejected on account of the tendency to 

 produce more suckers ; cuttings from well-ripened, vigorous 

 growths are of all the methods of propagating this bush the method 

 most generally adopted; all buds and prickles are removed for a few 

 inches from the lower end. 



The best method of harvesting the gooseberry is to pull the 

 berries from the bushes by stripping with a hard-gloved hand and 

 blowing off what leaves may have also come off when pulling. 



CROWN BOB. Bush drooping and abunda.nt bearer. Fruit 

 large and oblong ; skins thin, hairy, bright red, of good flavour, 

 and a first-rate variety. 



LEVELLER. Bush large, spreading, and luxuriant ; an excellent 

 bearer. Fruit long and well formed, tapering a little towards the 

 stalk, with a rather large nose. Skin smooth, dull greenish yellow, 

 one of the best of yellows. 



LORDCREW (green). 

 ROARING LION (red). 

 WATERLOO (white). 

 * Of the thornless variety : 



BELLE DE MEATJX. Vigorous, with trailing branches ; fruit 

 medium size, oval, dark red, thin skin, firm flesh. 



EDOTJARD LEFORT. Handsome fruit, glossy, vinous red, oblong, 

 firm flesh, good packer. 



MADAME EDOUARD LEFORT. Yery distinct variety, prolific, 

 fruit large, vinous red, firm flesh, very good. 



SOUVENIR DE BILLARD. Vigorous, prolific bearer, skin dark 

 rose or red ; flesh juicy and firm. 



