358 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



most suitable varieties, and in dry seasons to water freely and 

 mulch the surface of light soils. I am sure heavier crops can be 

 secured by not crowding the plants and paying due attention to 

 moisture and feeding, at the same time allowing abundance of 

 sun and air to get to the wood to prevent drawing and weakly 

 growth. 



Discussion. 



The Chairman invited questions and discussion. After waiting 

 a short time for any remarks, he said it appeared that the papers 

 were so excellent as to leave no loophole for anyone to begin a 

 discussion. He would, however, like to make a few remarks 

 himself. As to Gooseberries, he was of opinion that they ought 

 to try for more upright kinds, as many of the best Gooseberries 

 crept on the ground in a most unfortunate way, so that every 

 shower spoilt them just at the time they were ripe. Then, 

 again, large Gooseberries were deficient in flavour, and, like 

 Melons, had to be eaten at a particular time in order to get 

 the flavour at its highest point. They required more late 

 kinds and more early ones ; and to show the value of getting 

 an early Gooseberry for market purposes, even if the quality was 

 not very good, he mentioned that a grower in Kent had found a 

 Gooseberry (which might possibly be identified at some future 

 time) which produced from ten days to a fortnight before any 

 other. The consequence was that he got £120 an acre for them 

 in a green state. As far as flavour went, he thought he might 

 mention Cheshire Lass, Green Gascoigne, White and Ked 

 Champagne, Ironmonger, Warrington — these are the very best 

 for flavour. Then, as to size, there were Bobby and Antagonist 

 among the reds, Ringer and Drill among the yellows, and 

 Stockwell and Telegraph among the greens. That was a series 

 of Gooseberries from which a hybridizer should obtain good 

 results. Then there was not sufficient enterprise in getting 

 Gooseberries trained on walls, in which case the berries 

 matured a little before any others, and in gardening that was a 

 matter of great importance. He had built a Gooseberry-house 

 which had been much admired. It consisted of iron arch- 

 ways, covered with wire netting, which was found to be most 

 useful in keeping off birds. He also commended the culture of 

 the Gooseberry in the form of cordons. In that form the two 



