422 Mode of growing Prize Gooseberries. 



the tree is too much crowded with, old and young wood ; be- 

 cause the fruit should have, as much as possible, a full share 

 of the strength of the tree. 



And it is not only to the branches and top of the tree, that 

 the care of those who wish to excel in the cultivation of the 

 gooseberry must be directed ; they must pay attention to the 

 roots also, as it is necessary they should be pruned every two 

 or three years. When a root, therefore, has extended too 

 far from the stem, let it be uncovered, and all the strongest 

 leaders shortened back nearly one half of their length, and 

 covered in with fresh marly loam. This will cause new and 

 more active roots lo be formed nearer the stem, and give the 

 whole tree new vigour. 



I have taken some pains to procure the best information on 

 this subject; and, from my own knowledge and observation, I 

 am certain that a suitable soil is every thing for the success- 

 ful cultivation of the gooseberry. Were I to choose a situation 

 for a gooseberry garden, it should be such as I have seen, 

 viz. a deep, rich, marly loam, moderately moist, and at the 

 bottom of a sheltering hill. I am now preparing a soil of the 

 above qualities, and manure, for planting my most valuable 

 sorts in, and, like all the best growers hereabout, take much 

 care in mixing the compost; surrounding the plants with 

 trenches of manure for the points of the roots to strike into ; 

 and making round the stem of each plant a basin, to be 

 mulched or manured as I may think necessary, for the purpose 

 of watering in the summer. 



Allow me to inform you that the Warrington, though a 

 good fruit, is no longer at the top of our list. We have several 

 far superior, as the Crown Bob, and the Lion, of which I 

 have sent you a small pot, preserved as jam, in order that you 

 may judge of them yourself, and be satisfied that they are 

 equally serviceable as a culinary or as a table fruit. 



In the gooseberry shows of this and other counties, I may 

 also inform you that the heaviest fruit last summer was that 

 called the Roaring Lion, which weighed 27 dwts. 7 grs. In 

 Gloucestershire, the largest were the Lion, Gunner, and 

 Huntsman, each weighing 27 dwts. ; the heaviest yellow some- 

 what more; the largest white, the Eagle, weighed nearly 25, 

 and the heaviest green above 21 dwts. I am, Sir, &c. 



Mathias Saul. 

 Sully ard Street, Lancaster, Dec. 1. 1827. 



Our readers are under considerable obligations to Mr. Saul, 

 for the trouble he has taken in inspecting a number of the 



