There are feveral fpecies now growing in the gardens of this country, that have been introduced from North America, which are very ornamental in pleasure-grounds and parks, and to whofe fruit the decr and birds are very partial.

They are raifed from feed, or by grafting; thofe who wish to keep the forts true fhould propagate them by grafting on

their own ftocks.

The Medlar requires much the fame fort of treatment as the Quince-tree. Cut out all the dead and cankery wood; and, when they begin to get stunted, head them down, and apply the Compofition, as directed for Apple-trees.

Medlars fhould hang upon the tree till they begin to rot, as those who are fond of this fruit never eat it till the pulp is quite foft. It may be proper to obferve here, that those who wish to have their Medlars large and fine, must keep the tree thin of wood.

As many people are fond of the fruit of the Medlar, I would recommend planting fome trees of the large Dutch fort in the kitchen garden; the other forts may be planted in pleasure grounds and parks.

There is a fort called the Nottingham Medlar, which is very much esteemed by fome for its sharp and poignant taste. Medlars, as well as Quinces, fhould be planted at a proper diftance from Apple and Pear-trees.

CHAPTER XII.

OF GOOSEBERRIES.

Different Sorts of Goofeberries; and the Weight of many large new ones from Manchester-The Propagation, Planting, and Pruning of Goofeberries-A Method of deftroying Caterpillars.

THE Gooseberry and Currant are ranged by Linnæus in

the first order of his fifth Clafs, Pentandria Monogynia.

A Lift of the largest new Sorts fhown in Lancashire laft Summer (1800), with their Colour and Weight, communicated by Mers. M' Niven, Nurferymen, Manchester.

In favourable Seasons, many of the above forts have been

known to weigh more by feveral pennyweights.

The

The following Lift is taken from the Catalogue of Meffrs. Kirk, Nurferymen, at Brompton, near London.

Gooseberries are raised from cuttings, or from feed, and fome raise them from fuckers; but this laft is not a good way, as bushes raised in this manner are more liable to throw out fuckers than those which are raised from cuttings or feed. The best time for planting cuttings is about Michaelmas,

always cutting them from the strongest and cleanest shoots. The length of the cuttings fhould be from fix to eight inches, planting them on an East or North border, at the distance of one foot from row to row, leaving them about three inches above ground. By planting at this distance, you will be able to hoe and keep them clear of weeds. Water them frequently in dry weather during the Spring.

The Methods of Planting Goofeberries are various.

The Market-Gardeners about London plant them in rows from eight to ten feet apart from row to row, and fix feet from plant to plant in the rows. In that cafe, I advife pruning them in the beginning of October, and the ground between may be planted with Coleworts or Beans for a Spring crop; by fo doing, there will be no occafion to tread over the ground and hurt the Coleworts in pruning the bushes; for, before the Gooseberries begin to fhoot, the Coleworts will be all cleared off the ground.

After this time (or before if you find it convenient) lay a good coat of rotten dung on the ground; then dig it and plant early Potatoes; but not fo near to the Gooseberrics as to hurt them.

The roots of Gooseberries fhould always be kept clear to admit the fun and air. In fmall Gardens I would recommend planting them in quarter by themselves, at the distance of fix feet between the rows, and four feet from plant to plant; or you may plant them round the edges of the quarters, about three feet from the path; you will then have the ground

clear