GOOSEBERRIES FOR A LONG

Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 11

GOOSEBERRIES FOR A LONG

SUPPLY.

Some good gooseberries have been introduced of late years, but some of the old varieties are still the best for flavour. It is true that some of the extra-sized exhibition gooseberries are suitable for dessert, but many more are thickskinned and of very inferior flavour. I have grown a good many from time to time, but I still think that for all-round dessert quality Whitesmith is not to be beaten. It is a fact that, where a tree or two of it is growing amongst others, blackbirds and thrushes invariably choose Whitesmith, even though the rest ripen simultaneously. 1 admit that both Whinham’s Industry and Keepsake are enormous bearers and superior to many sorts for flavour, but 1 am sure that Whitesmith is still a valuable gooseberry for profit, as, with judicious pruning and a sustaining root-run, no fault can be found with the yield. The same remarks apply with equal force to the old Red Warrington as a red variety, added to which it will keep longer than any other variety if grown on a north border and protected from birds. Ironmonger may be lightly regarded by those who only know it by seeing it in the fruiterer’s shop, as its small size would tell against it; but those who are acquainted with the spreading habit of the tree, and above all its free-bearing character, will readily praise it. Trees on good ground and that are well fed will in a very short time grow to an enormous size, while the quantity of fruit obtainable is astonishing. It has a hardy constitution, the fruit being very small—indeed, I know of no smaller—red in colour, and very hairy. It makes a most delicious preserve, and the fruit will hang on the trees in an edible condition for a long time, though not so long as Warrington. Those who need a long supply of gooseberries in a green state for tarts would find a few trees of Ironmonger invaluable, as large berries are always objectionable in the dining room, and ordinary varieties grow quickly beyond the standard size. This gooseberry also would pay the market gardener, as every season special orders are given for berries for. preserving. The variety Rosebery is not very well known, but it s very sweet and pleasant, the fruits green, small, and freely produced. In White Champagne the skin is white and hairy, the flavour excellent. The habit is erect, and the leaves are pubescent.

Gooseberry culture on walls and trellises is much more common than formerly, and splendid fruit of the richest flavour may be thus grown. Wide or very deep borders are not necessary, but the compost must be fairly rich and sustaining, and frequent manuriai waterings must be given when the fruit is swelling. I prefer fan-shaped trees, and these can be purchased of any nurseryman. The lateral shoots should be shortened in July and pruned back to a few eyes in winter. A triend of mine has choice gooseberries trained to the wire fence surrounding his orchard, and ne annually obtains splendid crops. The principal points in their culture are liberal mulching, copious supplies of weak liquid manure, and occasional syringings early in the year to keep them free from caterpillar.—