MICHIGAN EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 157 



Varieties planted in the spring of 1892, species not determined: Colum- 

 bns, Strubler No. 1, Tree. 



Recent experiments indicate that the mildew heretofore generally con- 

 sidered an insuperable objection to the cultivation of the European vari- 

 eties of the gooseberry in our climate, may be held in check by persistent 

 spraying with a solution of potassium sulphide (liver of sulphur) and 

 several of these varieties have been planted in limited quantity to test the 

 efficacy of such applications. 



Houghton and Pale Red are almost identical, and are of the strongly 

 native type. For such planters as require such varieties as will best endure 

 neglect, and will yield abundant crops even though of small size, these will 

 doubtless prove the most satisfactory. 



Downing, is still the most popular, for market planting, of the so-called 

 native varieties, although the Smith is decidedly its superior in both 

 quality and size. It is, however, a more slender grower, though as pro- 

 ductive as the Downing in proportion to the size of plant. Both are more 

 thorny than are the unmistakable natives. 



Experience, so far, indicates that varieties of wholly, or even partially, 

 European parentage, should only be planted in exceptionally favorable 

 localities, or where they are to receive thorough and intelligent pruning 

 and cultivation, with the persistent use of fungicides for the prevention of 

 mildew. The free use of insecticides will also prove indispensable in 

 regions in which the currant worm is prevalent. 



CHERRIES— Prwnws. 



Of this fruit forty-nine varieties were planted prior to last spring, and 

 thirteen more added to the list at that time, making sixty-two varieties 

 now in orchard. 



Nearly all the varieties planted prior to 1890 showed more or less bloom 

 last spring and promised to perfect more or less fruit. In despite of the 

 injury resulting from the phenomenally unfavorable weather of last spring, 

 a few varieties developed some fruit; but so few in number developed, and 

 so widely were they scattered, that protection from birds proved impracti- 

 cable, and all were taken as soon as they began to show much color. 



Prior to last spring the trees had given few if any indications of disease 

 of any kind, but the excessive and long continued reign of Jupiter Pluvius 

 proved too severe a trial, so that in the case of several trees, especially of 

 the Mazzard class, standing where water either in the subsoil or upon the 

 surface, continued longest, there are indications of injury which may, quite 

 possibly, prove ultimately fatal; although most of the older trees of the 

 planting of 1888 and 1889, are now heavily set with fruit buds. 



Several trees, apparently in consequence of enfeeblement, due to the 

 cause already mentioned, have lost their foliage earlier than usual, and in 

 such cases the formation of new wood has been less than normal. 



The only troublesome insect has been the slug Eriocampa cernsi, of 

 which, though repeatedly destroyed by ^-he application of hellebore, 

 repeated colonies appeared in their places, until nearly or quite November. 



In the following tabulation the Heart and Bigarreau varieties are 

 arranged together, as are also the Dukes and Morellos. In the absence of 

 either description or history, several varieties not yet in fruit, are placed 

 in the class to which, from habit of growth, they apparently belong, sub- 

 ject to correction as facts and experience shall warrant. 



