GOOSKUKKKV 



(i()Osi;i!i';j;i;'i' 



657 



should be to keep acontinaous supply of vif^orous shoots. 

 As they become enfeebled, cut them out. Encourage 



spurring by cutting 



back when a variety indulges in 

 a rambling liabit, like Josselyn 

 (Red Jacket). In the East, it is 

 recommendtMl to thin the bead to 

 lessen tlie tendency to mildew. 

 This is prol)ahly gnod advice, but 

 in the West it does not apply 

 with the same force ; rather cut 

 out the weaker branches, and pre- 

 vent mildew by other methods. 

 Thin, also, to facilitate fruit pick- 

 ing. Prune to encourage upright 



972. Ribea Grossularia in 

 bloom. Nat. size. 



923. Leaves of Ribes Grossularia. 



Natural size. 



growth, when cultivating varieties like Mountain Seed- 

 ling and Houghton. The bush form, with several stems, 

 is to be preferred to the single stem; plantations last 

 longer in bush form, and are more productive. 



Tillage and fertilizing. — in the east and west coast 

 climates, and in the lake region, clean culture may bi- 

 given; but in the interior, mulching witli strawy ma- 

 nure or barnyard litter is better than luulching with 

 soil. Cool, rich soil constitutes an essential to success. 

 Good results have been obtained by the use of coal 

 ashes as a mulch. This is, of course, only an amateur's 

 method, and not feasible on a commercial scale. Tlie 

 (4ooseberry is grown with a fair degree of success be- 

 tween young orchard trees on the loose soils bordering 

 the upper waters of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. 

 The practice is not to be commended from the stand- 

 point of the welfare of the orchard. Gooseberries are 

 also erown between grape rows -a practice hardly to be 

 coTumended, Practice only shallow tillage. 



Picking, marketing, and conserving . — Picking Goost- 

 hirries is an uncomfortable and generally uncongenial 

 o.-fupation. The best native varieties, as a rule, are those 

 most completely armed with thorns. A little practice, 

 however, will enable a dexterous picker to secure the 



berries without receiving much punishment in return. 

 The berries cluster along the lower side of tbr hearing 

 branch. They are best removed by elevating and steady- 

 ing the branch with one hand while the other hand rap- 

 idly removes the berries, working from the base up- 

 wards. Picking costs between 1 and 2 cerjts per qmirt — 

 usually l}i cents. EnglisJi Gooseberries sliould be 

 marketed either in (juart boxes or in r)-i)Ound Climax 

 l»askets. 



American varieties are nearly always pickeil green, 

 and are usually called for in considerable quantities for 

 stewing, jam making or for canning. These are shipped 

 in 10- and 20-pound baskets. Beach, in Hull. ]U, N. Y. 

 FjX\). Sta., gives the following reasons for marketing 

 ( i"<.isel.jerries in the green condition: " ( 1 ) The hard, green 

 fruit is not as easily injured in picking and packing as 

 the pulpy ripe fruit, and it will stand transportation 

 better. (2) The fruit that is allowed to ripen on the 

 bushes is exposed longer to attacks of sunscald and 

 mildew, and should long-continuod rains follow a period 

 <)|- drought, the ripening fruit is liable to crack and 

 spoil. (H) The ripening of fruit is an exhaustive jirocess, 

 ivi>n\ which the tree is partly relieved when the fnjit is 

 marketed grt'cn. (4) The jiroceeds from the green fruit 

 usually comjtare favorably with tlie proceeds from the 

 )'i|te fruit, although the largo Englisli varietitiS some- 

 times bring the highost prices of tlio season." 



Gooselierries are very ]talatahle if canned just before 

 reaching maturity. Sugar shouhl be used in the pro- 

 portion of on(^-third to one-half pound to each quart of 

 berries. When treated in this way. Gooseberry pie may 

 be enjoyed at any time during winter. Gooseiierry jam 

 is indulged in to a considerable (^xtent by residents of 

 Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and Dakota. Wild berries 

 are gathered and largely used for the purpose, their 

 aromatic acidity givijig a spicincss to the finished prod- 



926. Ribes oxyacanthoidea 

 in bloom (X j-j.) ■ 



Leaves of Ribes oxyacan- 

 t-hoides. Natural .size. 



924. Crown Bob, an Eng- 

 lish Gooseberry (X^). 



925. Industry, one of the 



English Gooseberries. 



Nearly natural size. 



net which is notably wanting in that made from culti- 

 vated types. 



Type's and iiar)'e/(c.?. — Practically, there are two types 

 of Gooseberries in cultivation. 



1. The European (Bihes Grossnlnrifi , Figs. 022, 923), 

 characterized by stocky, upright growth, light-colored 

 spines, thick, glossy Ivs. and large, variously colored fr. 

 The plants are less hardy than our natives or their hy- 

 brids, are affected by our hot summer suns, and are 

 very susceptible to fungous troubles, prominent among 

 which is mildew. The New York Experiment Station 

 recommends the following varieties : Crown Bob {Fig. 

 024) ; red, large, round, of good quality. Industry (Fig. 

 025), Lancashire Lad; fr. dark red, nearly round ; plant 

 prolific, healthy. Prince Harry; one of the largest, 

 green, good quality. 



2. Americans, and hybrids between European and 

 American species, usually classed with Americans (Figs. 

 926,927,928): Ivs. thinnerthan ini?. (?ro.i5H?<rf?-ia/ leaf- 

 stalks hairy, spines borne singly, fr. small, reddish 

 green, shading off to purple. Pale Red may be consid- 

 ered a good type of the species. Varieties: Champion 



