31 



The Whitesmith is probably the best of the English varieties grown to any 

 extent in Ontario. It, and Industry, are commonly supposed to be freer from 

 mildew than other English varieties. The experience of Mr. Macoun was that they 

 both mildewed rather badly at Ottawa. Thorough spraying, however, will control 

 the mildew. 



Mr. K. B. Whyte, of Ottawa, has several very promising varieties of English 

 gooseberries and seedlings of the same in his garden. The value of those that 

 succeed with him for other parts of the Province is, however, hard to estimate, 

 as the conditions under which his gooseberries grow would be impracticable for 

 commercial culture. His best varieties and seedlings are, however, certainly worthy 

 of trial. 



THE MOST IMPORTANT DISEASES OF CURRANTS AND 



GOOSEBERRIES. 



].. CAESAE, PROVINCIAL ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Powdery Mildew of the Gooseberry {Sphaerotheca mors-uvae). — This dis- 

 ease is the greatest obstacle to the successful groAving of European varieties of goose- 

 berries in Ontario. It attacks' the American varieties also, but only to a very small 

 extent, and is sometimes found on ciirrants, rarely doing much damage to them. 

 Affected gooseberry plants show the disease first on the young leaves and tender tips 

 of the new growth. It then spreads to the young fruits soon after these are formed. 

 All the diseased parts are soon covered over with a white powdery substance from 

 which numerous summer spores are carried by the wind from place to place. Later 

 in the season this whitish covering begins to brown and thicken, forming a dense 

 felty coat over the affected parts including the fruit. In this brown substance the 

 winter spore cases are formed and from these in spring the disease is spread. As a 

 result of the fungus the growth of the twigs is stunted and the affected fruits 

 drawfed and rendered useless. Frequently nearly the Avhole crop is ruined. 



It is usually believed that warm climates and lack of air circulation favor the 

 disease. 



Means of Control. — Bordeaux mixture has given poor results. Potassium sul- 

 phide, 1 ounce to 2 gallons, has given fair satisfaction, but the best results have 

 been obtained from lime-sulphur. At least three applications should be given. The 

 first should be shortly before the buds begin to burst, using the same strength 

 as for the dormant spray on apples, namely commercial lime-sulphur diluted about 

 1 gallon to 9 or 10 gallons with water, or a specific gravity strength of about 1.030. 

 The second application should be soon after the leaves appear, but before the blos- 

 soms open. Use lime-sulphur specific gravity 1.015 (commercial diluted 1 gallon 

 to 20). The third shortly after the fruit has set. Use lime-sulphur specific gravity 

 1.010 (commercial 1 gallon diluted to 30). The fourth application may be made 

 in about 10 days after the third and may be a little weaker. Care should of course 

 be taken to see that every particle of the plants is covered each time. It will also 

 help to prune the plants or support them so that no branches will rest on the 

 ground. 



Currant Anthracnose (Pseudopeziza nbis). — -This' disease attacks the vari- 

 ous kinds of currants, being most destructive on the white and red, and usually 

 doing much less damage to the black. It seems to be only rarely found on the 

 gooseberry. The leaves alone are attacked. On them the disease causes small brown 

 areas, chiefly on the upper surface. When these spots are very abundant the leaves 



