FORTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 97 



northern states. The fruits of these were for the most part small and 

 meagre and often prickly. They were flourishing enough, however, to 

 lead the pioneers to infer iliat this class of fruit would do well here in 

 cultivation. Many sorts of the English gooseberries and currants were 

 given a tryout here. The English varieties of gooseberries, never proved 

 a success in this country, owing principally to mildew and such diseases, 

 for whicli the change of climate was responsible. 



The Houghton gooseberry was grown from seed from the Avild sort, 

 and was first introduced in Lynn, Mass., ir 1847. The Downing seed- 

 ling, from similar parentage, was first introduced by Chas. Downing 

 in 1853. 



Our red and Avhite and black currants of commerce, are all English 

 varieties or developed from them. The so-called flowering currant, 

 represents the American sort. 



Currants and gooseberries are propagated by means of cuttings or by 

 layering, and are generally planted permanently when one or two years 

 old. By disbudding at the time of planting cuttings, the plant may be 

 made to assume a tree form. This gives, perhaps a better appearance 

 to the plant, but it is not as desirable as the bush form, from the 

 profit standpoint, — that is what we are the most interested in. The 

 trunk of a gooseberry grown in tree form is quite liable to become 

 broken, and with currants, — the borer if he works at all would destroy 

 the entire plant. 



Gooseberries thrive in good strong well-drained clay loam and will 

 welcome almost any amount of barnyard manure. In an open field, 

 we began by planting five feet apart. But later planted six by six and 

 now would regard seven or even eight feet as more desirable. Among 

 cherry and plum trees, planted each way between the trees. 



Gooseberries and currants start very early in the spring, — almost it 

 seems before the frost is out of the ground. For this reason we like to 

 plant in the fall, so as to give the plant a chance to start early. At the 

 time of planting, the broken roots are cut out and the tops cut back 

 so as to make a skeleton for a saucer-shaped top. Cultivation should 

 start very early in the spring, and should be done thoroughly and re- 

 peatedly, especially in the bearing plantations, as the fruit should soon 

 so weigh down the branches as to make late cultivation well nigh impos- 

 sible. 



The ever present insect enemy of these plants is the currant worm. 

 It and also the scale is held in check by early thorough spraying with 

 lime and sulphur and arsenate of lead. The worm may not show up 

 at all, during the season, after this spraying, but the bushes may well 

 be often inspected, and when there are any evidences of the worm, an 

 application of Paris Green and Hellebore with a powder gun will make 

 short work of the worms, if done promptly. 



After the fruiting season, mildew sometimes attacks the leaves, caus- 

 ing tliem to drop. This affects the development of next years fruit buds, 

 so it is well to spray at tliis time with Bordeaux mixture to keep down 

 the fungus. The thorough cultivation is also resumed after taking off 

 of the fruit, and kept up until August first. A cover crop of crimson 

 clover or oats may well be sown about this time. 



Gooseberries are picked while still green, and before they ripen 

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