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CHAP. XVII.
Grossularia.
GOosberries are of divers sorts and colours, as red, blue, yellow, white, and green; some of them round, others long; some smooth, and others prickly.
Of red Goosberries there are three sorts, one small and round, seldom bearing; another bigger and a little flat, but no very good bearer; the third is called the Damson Goos∣berry, this is a good bearer, the Berries large, round, and red, and (when full ripe) with a blue tincture over them like a Damson.
The blue Goosberry hath the Berries thinly set on the branches, which are small, a little long, and of a dark red colour, tinctured over with blue.
Yellow Goosberries are of several sorts, one large, round, and smooth; others lesser; some long and prickly, of which there are two sorts chiefly esteemed; the first round, smooth, large and good, of a bright yellow colour, and called the Amber Goosberry; the other is large, long, and prickly, of a deep yellow colour and good taste, and is called the great Hedge-hog Goosberry.
The white Holland Goosberry is the fairest, biggest, and best bearer of all others; the Berries are large, round, smooth, white, transpa∣rent, and well-tasted.
The green Goosberry is of two sorts, one bigger and longer than the other, both very green and good, but the bigger is most esteemed.
Goosberries are propagated by Suckers, Layers or Cuttings. I have a Goosberry-bush that from one stem beareth four several-coloured Berries, effected by Budding, the Amber, Damson, and Green, upon several branches of the White. Those that desire the like curiosity, must in Winter prune and prepare the Stock, leaving thereon three branches onely, and at the Spring rub off all buds that come forth in other places; about Midsomer put in the Buds taken from the big∣gest Lances, which after they are grown to some bigness, one Bud of the natural Stock may be suffered to grow to make four sorts; the Stock must be kept from Suckers, the Lances in Somer stopped, and pruned in Winter, that one draw not more Sap than another.