MANAGEMENT OF FRUIT TREES, &c. 99 



lected : I would therefore recommend to those who live in 

 the neighbourhood of such gardens, to observe their time of 

 ripening, and to cultivate those especially v/hich are early and 

 late. 



It is a practice with some to clip the tops of gooseberries 

 with a pair of garden shears, as they would clip a thorn hedge ; 

 this I by no means approve of, as the fruit will not be half the 

 size, nor of so fine a flavour, as when the bushes are kept 

 clear of superfluous wood. 



Care should be taken in spring and summer to stock, or 

 grub up, all the suckers from the roots of the bushes, leaving 

 their stems clear and unencumbered. 



Many of the Lancashire sorts are apt to grow horizontal- 

 ly, and the branches frequently trail on the ground, which 

 renders them liable to be broken by high winds, especially 

 when they are loaded with fruit. In that case I would recom= 

 mend two or three hoops to be put round them, to which the 

 branches may be tied, to support them, and prevent their being 

 broken by the wind . 



Those who wish to have their gooseberries very late 

 should plant on North walls and palings, between the other 

 trees, and they may be removed when the trees begin to 

 meet. If laid in thin, they will bear very fine and handsome 

 fruit. I would advise to plant the finest late sorts ; as by this 

 method the table will be supplied much longer than by the 

 common custom of planting in quarters. 



Immediately after pruning, I always apply the composi- 

 tion to the ends of the shoots and cuttings ; and I find it of great 

 use in preventing the exhalation of the sap, and preserving 

 the cuttings till they take root. 



Gooseberries are very much infested with a small 

 green caterpillar, which frequently devours both leaves and 

 fruit. 



You must, therefore, be very attentive, and observe their 

 first appearance on the bushes ; for, if not destroyed early, 

 they will increase so fast, that they will soon devour all the 

 leaves, and the fruit will then be good for nothing. They 

 make their first appearance generally on the edges and under- 

 sides of the leaves. 



Take some sifted quick-lime and lay it under the bushes ; 

 but do not at first let any of it touch the branches or 

 leaves ; then shake each bush suddenly and smartly, and 

 the caterpillars will fall into the lime ; if the bush be not 

 shaken suddenly, the caterpillars, on being a little disturb- 

 (ed, will take so firm a hold as not easily to be shaken off. 



LOf a 



