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 
Houghton. One of the healthiest and hardiest 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 7 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. 
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 $io for just ioo 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 
