TRUE-TO-NAME SMALL-FRUIT PLANTS 



33 



GOOSEBERRIES 



Pruning and Training. The Gooseberry has 

 attained a greater commercial importance of late 

 years than formerly, and in many sections has 

 become a very profitable fruit. It is always sold in 

 the green state, though the ripe fruit is very accept- 

 able to most people. Like the currant, the Goose- 

 berry thrives best in a cool climate and a moist 

 clay soil. When grown in a warm, sandy soil, it 

 will be found that the coal-ash mulch advised for 

 the currant will be a great advantage. The Goose- 

 berry is worthless in the South, and seldom fruits 

 well south of Maryland, except in the mountain 

 sections. 



Amateur growers often train the Gooseberry*, 

 like the currant, to a single stem, but commercially 

 the bush form is the only profitable way to grow 

 them. Little pruning is needed, and that mainly 

 to remove the stunted shoots and to keep up a sup- 

 ply of vigorous new shoots from the base. They 

 may be set from 5 to 6 feet apart each way, and 

 cultivated both ways. The richer the soil, the more 

 distance apart, of course, as the growth will be 

 stronger in the strong soil. Spraying regularly with 

 Bordeaux mixture is important to keep down the 

 mildew from the fruit. The varieties grown in 

 this country have mainly been produced, from the 

 native species. The English Gooseberry is much 

 larger, but far more inclined to disease, than the 

 native species, though some of the English sorts 

 have been grown with success, and now, with 

 spraying it is probable that most of them can be 



grown. It is important, as one means for preventing mildew, that the head of the bush be kept open and not 



allowed to get crowded with shoots, as in a crowded state the mildew is always worse. 



The growing of Gooseberries is not appreciated as it should be. Some growers are planting more 



Gooseberries each year. Agricultural Colleges are urging growers to plant Gooseberries because they are 



profitable. There is a demand for them. 



Downing. One of the oldest and most remarkable of the large-fruiting varieties. Handsome, pale 



green and splendid quality; fine for both cooking and table use. A vigorous grower and usually free from 



mildew. 



Houghton. One of the healthiest and hardiest of the Gooseberry family, and a variety that almost 



always produces a full crop and never fails entirely. Very productive, berries of medium size and for 



general purposes one of the best. 



Josselyn (Red Jacket). This variety has been well tested over a wide 

 range of territory' and has proven very satisfactory. It is a heavy cropper and 

 has bright green, healthy foliage. An American seedling of large size, smooth, 

 prolific and hardy. Quality among the best. 



Mountain Seedling. A new variety, with 

 unusual vigor and great productiveness. It is 

 slightly larger than Houghton, and seems to have 

 all of the good qualities of that variety. It makes 

 heavier canes and holds the foliage longer than 

 anything on the place. 



Pearl. A cross between Houghton and some 

 large English variety. Very hardy, free from mil- 

 dew, and superior in size and quality. It is claimed 

 to be more productive than the Downing and re- 

 sembles that variety quite a little. This variety does 

 well in colder climates. In Canada it is known not 

 to mildew and has proven to be most productive. 

 It has many good qualities. 



Houghton. One of the healthiest and hardiest 



Privet Better Than Expected 



I have planted the privet hedge you sent me. You 

 certainly treated me fairly in this deal, and they were 

 far better than I expected to get, for I thought you 

 would send simply rooted cuttings, and these must be 

 about two years old. They are very fine and nearly 

 all growing. One man paid Sio for just 100 plants, and 

 they are a full year behind mine. Thanking you for 

 your courtesy and square dealing, I am. — -F. R. Stuts- 

 man, Elkhart Co., Ind., May 2, 1911. 



Downing Gooseberry. One of the best large-fruiting sorts 



