574 



Gooseberry Growing. 



[Sept., 



vertical side 6 inches deep. The cuttings are placed about 

 6 inches apart against the vertical side, the ends pressed into 

 the solid ground, and the soil returned 2 inches at a time, 

 each layer being carefully trodden. The secret of success is 

 firm planting, and if the cuttings are lifted at all by frost they 

 must be trodden tight again. In the early spring the top few 

 inches of the land should be kept well hoed to prevent the 

 cuttings drying out. 



If required for bushes on a " leg ' ' the cuttings should be 

 disbudded except for some 3-4 buds at the apex and those 

 immediately at the base, the production of suckers being thereby 

 prevented. If, however, for bushes on a stool, no disbudding 

 should be done, as the production of suckers is required for 

 replacing old or diseased branches. During the two following 

 seasons the young bushes will require thorough cultivation and 

 spraying, and in the autumn two years after planting should be 

 ready for planting out in their permanent position. 



Location — Soil. — In order to minimise the risk of American 

 Gooseberry Mildew it is important to select a well drained 

 unshaded site where there is a free circulation of air, as close 

 humid conditions are very favourable to the development of the 

 disease. 



Gooseberries prefer a deep, cool, well drained loam, but will 

 do almost anywhere, except on extreme soils which are hot and 

 dry or cold and wet. On the lighter soils considerable assistance 

 from bulky organic manures is required. 



Preparation of Land for Planting. — The land to be planted 

 out permanently should be thoroughly cultivated to a depth of 

 12 in. or 15 in. by ploughing, sub -soiling and cultivating, or by 

 double digging. 



The best crops to take prior to planting are either potatoes or 

 some other root crop, which permit of the land being thoroughly 

 cleaned, cultivated and manured. If, however, the land ha& 

 not previously been well done it should be given, prior to 

 ploughing, a dressing of 15-20 tons of dung per acre or an 

 equivalent dressing of some other organic nitrogenous manure. 



It is extremely important to have the land clear of couch, 

 twitch, &c, before planting, especially if the bushes are to be 

 grown on the " stool " method. If the soil is thought to be in 

 the least degree acid, or has not been limed for a number of 

 years, it should be given a good dressing; the expense will be 

 weU repaid. 



Planning. — Gooseberries are best set at 6 ft. square either 



