By Mr. Robert Thompson. 



221 



Division 3rd. Fruit Green. This Division is perhaps more ex- 

 tensive than the Yellow or White, but contains fewer varieties 

 than the Red. In some, both of the large and small sorts in which 

 the pulp itself is of a dull green colour, the flavour is coarse and 

 disagreeable : but in the sorts which have a thin skin, with a clear 

 juicy pulp it is generally pleasant, sweet and moderately rich. 



Division 4th. Fruit White. Although it is allowed that, strictly 

 speaking, there are no White Gooseberries, yet, as there is a consi- 

 derable number of the palest Green varieties, which have generally 

 received that name, this Division has been retained. The Divisions 

 of Green and White gradually merge together, insomuch that it is 

 difficult to mark the distinction between them. It will therefore 

 be necessary, in regard to the doubtful varieties, to endeavour to 

 give some explanation why some of them are accounted Green, and 

 why others approaching near to them, are placed amongst the 

 Whites. 



When the fruit is of an uniform pale green, with veins of nearly 

 the same colour, it is then included amongst the Greens : as are 

 also those in which the veins are large and rather pale, but the rest 

 of the skin deep green. When the veins are large, and very pale, 

 and the rest of the skin moderately so, the variety, in that case, is 

 ranked amongst the Whites, because the colour of the veins predo- 

 minates so as to give the fruit a whitish appearance. 



There are some of the Whites very clear and transparent, admit- 

 ting of the seeds being distinctly visible through the skin and pulp. 

 Others acquire a yellowish cast when fully ripe, but are still very 

 distinct from the yellows, whilst they are also farther removed from 

 the Greens. The flavour of such varieties is generally rich. 



It appears that, hitherto, the classification of Gooseberries has 

 only extended to the above Divisions, according to the colours. 

 The surface of the fruit affords three sub-divisions, from its being 

 either Hispid, Downy or Smooth. 



