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On the Cultivation of the Gooseberry. 
where it is found in a wild state, the natives call it by the name of 
groseille. It is a native of several parts of Europe, and in its wild state 
produces a small green hairy high-flavoured fruit. As it has been found 
wild in the woods and hedges about Darlington, and in various parts of 
Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and other counties, Phillips considers it to be 
indigenous to this country, although Dr. Smith and Millar, both enter¬ 
tained doubts of its being truly so. It appears not to have been known 
to the ancients, either in Greece or Rome, as their authors have made 
no mention whatever of it. The name Grossularia, has been given to 
it, (according to Phillips) by late writers, on account of its resembling 
the Grossos, (small green figs ) Gerard says, it is called fea-berry-bush, 
in Cheshire, and it bore the same name in Lancashire and Yorkshire. 
In Norfolk, it was abbreviated into Feabes, The name Gooseberry, 
seenis to have been given, from its being used as a sauce for young or 
green geese. Culpepper, who was a Sussex author, tell us, that they 
were called Dewberries, in that county, and in some places Wimberries. 
Tusser speaks of it, as having been cultivated as early as the time of 
Henry VIII, and the perfection to which it is now brought, with the mul¬ 
tiplied varieties at present in existence, leaves so small a trait of what it 
was in its original wild state, as to render it quite uncertain what species 
of Ribes, was the original parent. 
In giving you my opinion on their cultivation, I would recommend the 
tree to be planted about the latter end of September, or the beginning of 
October, so that the roots may have time to get hold of the ground, be¬ 
fore the frosts set in, as the roots are liable to be thrown out by the frost, 
and thereby injured. 
I would recommend a two-year-old plant for planting, for if they are 
too old when shifted, the roots become strong and stubborn, and you 
cannot spread them out as you would wish. When you plant a tree, 
make your trench or hole, which is to contain the roots, about three or 
four inches deep, and wide enough for the roots to be spread out in every 
direction. Then spread the roots and young fibres carefully, cover them 
with earth, and spread a little manure on the top; I would always re¬ 
commend that the trees be planted in fresh soil, when the situation will 
admit of it. 
For manuring trees, in general, (which should be done in November) 
I would recommend, for strong land, horse-dung and a little light fresh 
soil, mixed together; but for light land, cow-dung and fresh soil. 
In November, prune your trees, and in so doing, be careful to leave 
some young wood in them, for you will often find the best fruit on the 
ends of the young wood, but the young wood should be cut do wn a little, 
that is, the end of each should be taken off. If your trees make much 
wood in spring, take out some of the superfluous, or take oft' the ends of 
them, in order to throw more support to your fruit. 
