Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/335

Rh what later such as occupy the western border; and, lastly, those which have a northern aspect; the plants being 12 inches distant from each other.—Next, in rank, is the  (Rubus Idæus, L.); which ought properly to stand along the northern border; but, being a luxuriant and spreading shrub, it will with advantage be placed in a distant corner. The principal, and most productive varieties of the latter, are those two, termed the English Double-bearing Red, and White Raspberry.—Beside the shrubs already mentioned, a complete orchard should likewise contain the best sorts of Currants and Gooseberries, of which we shall here enumerate the most esteemed varieties; having already given an introductory description of both, in their alpnabetical order.

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As these berries, which remain for several weeks on the bushes without decaying, progressively become sweeter and more vinous, we would recommend the culture of the following varieties, as the most valuable:

1. The Large, Red Dutch Currant.

2. The large, White Dutch Currant.

3. The Large, Flesh-coloured Champagne Currant.

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There are numerous sorts of this excellent fruit, which have been raised from the seeds, principally by English gardeners, who at present enumerate not less than 280 varieties: from these we have selected the following 24, which are equally esteemed for their uncommonly large size and exquisite flavour.

Red Gooseberries.

1. Cheetham's Bright Venus, is a large berry; smooth, or without hair; beautifully red; and of a delicate taste.

2. Coe's Hannibal, a very large, oval, smooth berry.

3. Down's Cheshire Round, a pale-red, transparent berry, marked with red spots.

4. Mason's Hercules, a very inviting fruit; large; globular; without hair; uncommonly handsome; and very transparent.

5. Taylor's Red Rose; also very large; oval; rose-coloured; and hairy.

6. Victory; one of the largest gooseberries; oval; hairy; and rose-coloured.

7. Withington's Princess-Royal; is of a good size; round; hairy; and dark-red.

White Gooseberries.

8. Chapman's Highland White; is large; globular; red-spotted on its south side; and covered with a few fine hairs.

9. Liptrot's Duke of Bedford; a large, oblong, and smooth berry.

10. Mill's Champion; is also large and oblong, but somewhat tapering towards the stalk; having a white and perfectly transparent skin.

11. Stafford's White Imperial; a capital, early sort; uncommonly bulky; so that the largest, which are slightly oval, attain the size of a walnut; but the smaller ones are of a round form; having a smooth, tender skin, and ripening about the middle of July.

Green Gooseberries.

12. Boardman's Green Oak, is large, globular, and smooth.

13. Creeping Germes, a very early,