1 22 Calls at Suburban Gardens. 



correspondent has sent us a box containing specimens of twenty-one large 

 sorts, and of Warringtons, all grown in the same garden. The berries 

 had so far lost their flavour before arrival, that we could not form a 

 correct judgment as to their comparative merits. We certainly have 

 hitherto preferred the flavour of the Warrington, Ironmonger, and old 

 Rough Red, to that of any red gooseberries we ever tasted ; but this may 

 be from our very limited knowledge of the large Lancashire sorts, and, at 

 any rate, as an editor, we wish to have no opinion of our own. Mr. Saul 

 writes us his opinion, that the Warrington will soon be put out of the 

 question, as compared with the show gooseberries ; for those who have be- 

 gun to cultivate the latter find them superior, both for every culinary pur- 

 pose, and for the dessert. They come much earlier in the spring for tarts, 

 and at least ten days earlier than the Warrington; they are also great bearers. 

 " You would be surprised to see the quantity and size of some of the berries 

 in the gardens near this town. The blackbirds and thrushes are remarkably 

 fond of those large berries; they pick off the end of the berry, and then 

 scoop out the inside, and leave the husk hanging by the petiole like a bell. 

 The birds are caught by placing a steel trap [query, of what description ?] 

 on the ground under the largest berry, without any bait. The bird jumps on 

 the trap to reach the berry, and is taken. It is expected the show berries 

 will be heavier this year than has ever been known. Those I send you 

 were gathered at random from my garden, and yet one of them, the green 

 favourite, weighed 17 dwts. At the public show here, on the 28th of July, 

 the heaviest green berry weighed only 14 dwts. and 22 grains. I do not 

 subscribe to this show, because, as it is held at a public-house, I consider it 

 has a tendency to encourage drinking." Mr. Saul recommends the follow- 

 ing gooseberries as deserving a place in every garden : — Reds- Princess 

 Royal, Huntsman, Top Sawyer, Fox Hunter. — Yellows. Rockwood, Viper, 

 Scorpion. — Greens. Favourite, Troubler. — Whites. Wellington's 

 Glory, Lion. — For preserving, the Crown Bob. — Lancaster, ^Aug. 10. 



The Huntsman Gooseberry is one of the best flavoured of the Reds; at 

 the late Windsor Show, several of them weighed more than 1 oz. each ; it 

 is a great bearer, free grower, and very hardy. — J. P. B. August 13. 



No fruit improves more by cultivation than the gooseberry ; "you mistake 

 in calling the large specimens monstrosities ; allow me to say there are 

 many of them remarkably fine, handsomer berries, and of as rich a 

 flavour as any of the oldest and most admired small sorts, of which, in fact, 

 they are only improved varieties, and they will bear as plentifully, and with 

 as great certainty. I presume you will hardly pay the same compliment to 

 all the improved sorts of peaches, plums, pears, apples, strawberries, and 

 every other horticultural production, on the improvement of which so 

 much valuable time has been spent, and which productions of late years 

 have been so much increased in size, and so materially benefited in all their 

 qualities. In the present age of improvement, I think it may be doubtful 

 if it should be applied to carnations, pinks, roses, double dahlias, and other 

 florist's flowers, which are daily increasing in size and beauty, at an immense 

 sacrifice of time and labour ; yet a botanist may truly call them all mon- 

 strosities." — Suffolciencis. August 4. 1827. 



Art. VIII. Calls at Suburban Gardens. 



GOLDWORTH Nursery, near Woking, Mr. Donald, F.H.S. MaylS. 1826. — 

 In the neighbourhood of Woking and Chobham there are several nurseries 

 which are chiefly devoted to raising articles for the trade; that of Mr. 

 Donald is the principal nursery for stocks for fruit trees ; but most of the 



