TWENTIETH ANNUAL MEETING. 107 



few bushels in one corner of the garden, and, with the exception of a little 

 spasmodic cultivation, and in late years dusting or spraying for the slug, 

 he gives these plants little attention. Yet what a comfort to the house- 

 wife, in early summer, as she finds ample supplies for delicious sauce and 

 most appetizing pies ! And what a satisfaction the year through is the 

 jam and jelly, ever ready to grace the table or flavor the cake! Thus, 

 while the currant vineyard of the farm receives attention all too meagre, 

 its fruits are appreciated at least by the best part of the farm household. 



But is not even this partial appreciation often wanting among our 

 specialists? In other words, does the currant plantation occupy the atten- 

 tion it deserves among our fruitgrowers? 



In an address before the New York State Agricultural society, in the 

 winter of 1889, I heard Mr. Hale of Connecticut, a man whose success 

 finds no cause of complaint even in the so-called " hard times " of today, 

 argue that the currant was actually his most f)rofitable fruit. With 

 reasonable care, said he, an annual crop is assured, while the demand and 

 prices are always satisfactory. Since then I have heard a similar state- 

 ment from the ex-secretary of this society, Mr. C. W. Gtakfield. It is 

 well, then, that more attention be paid to the culture of this fruit, and so 

 I wish to offer some information that will prove helpful to those who may 

 undertake currant culture, and will help to ward off failure or danger with 

 those already engaged in the culture of this fruit. 



In discussing the insect enemies of the currant, I need only refer to 

 the ravages of the currant slug. Nematus rabesii Scop. Every pomol- 

 ogist knows that to grow currants he must fight this pest, and that dusting 

 or spraying with hellebore or London purple is sure death to these ever 

 recurring insects. I will only say in passing that there is a growing par- 

 tiality among fruitmen in favor of the arsenites in this warfare, as a very 

 dilute mixture, not stronger than one pound to 100 gallons of water, 

 is a certain specific against these slugs. There is practically no danger in 

 the use of this substance in the warfare. Certainly no danger in case of 

 the first brood, which appears nearly as soon as the leaves; and if these 

 early insects are thoroughly treated there will be little call to treat the 

 second brood. Even if used on the second brood, this strength, one tea- 

 spoonful — all that will stay on a teaspoon if dipped into the powder- — to five 

 gallons of water, this is at the rate of one pound to 200 gallons of water — 

 is really quite safe. If preferred, hellebore may be used, one ounce to 

 two gallons of water or dusted on by use of bellows or Leggett's gun. In 

 either case it is all-important to be very thorough. In case the bushes 

 are treated while in blossom, the arsenites should never be used, on cur- 

 rants or any other fruit trees or shrubs the blossoms of which attract bees. 

 In case of an early season, like the last, when such delay would result in 

 considerable injury, hellebore should be employed. 



CUKEANT BOEEES. 



These enemies of the currant, though not so obvious as the slugs, are 

 indeed serious enemies and must receive prompt attention or our currant 

 vinyards will soon be things of the past. These work in the vines and so 

 are entirely concealed from view, and so the fruitgrower knows nothing of 

 danger till he sees his wilted bushes as dead stalks. We have found three 

 species boring in the stems at the Agricultural college, and fortunately 

 their habits are such that what will destroy one will exterminate all. 



