178 



MY GARDEN. 



have long ceased to be particular about the varieties. The White Dutch 

 (fig- 338) is a good white currant. It may be forced with care, if well 

 established in a pot and placed early in the vinery. The berries are, 

 however, apt to drop, and but very few remain till ripe ; possibly because 

 in a vinery they are too hot, and have not sufficient air. The pruning 

 of the trees requires care, as the fruit is produced from little spurs, 

 so that the art of pruning consists in cutting away the new shoots 



Fig. 337.— Blact Cur- 

 rants. ^ 



Fig. 338. —White Currants. 



Fig. 339.— Red Currants. 



and carefully leaving the spurs. I have grown currant-trees as bushes, as 

 pyramids, and as standards, but without any decided benefit. Pyramids 

 may be planted a foot apart, allowed to grow up about two feet and a 

 half, when a considerable number can be conveniently matted to give 

 fruit in November, or covered with nets to prevent the birds from 

 helping themselves too freely. 



Of Red Currants, the Red Dutch (fig. 339) is a good kind. I have 

 grown Knight's Sweet Currant, but never found it sweet, although grown 

 against the palings. 



GOOSEBERRIES. 



The Gooseberry is essentially an Englirsh fruit. It is cultivated but to 

 a small extent in countries south of England, but it is only in the north 

 of England where it is particularly an object of cultivation, and where 

 it attains its highest perfection. Numerous shows of Gooseberries- 

 ' Figures of currants are drawn one-half the natural size. 



