EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS 237 



pruned and sprayed and have good cultivation, witli plentj^ of fertilizer, the berries 

 compare well with most other varieties, and the quality of the Red Dutch is fully 

 equal to any of the other kinds. 



Wilder had again shown itself to be a valuable variety, comparing well in every 

 respect with the other large-fruited kinds. 



GOOSEBERRIES. 



The treatment of the gooseberries was similar to that given the currants so 

 far as the spraying was concerned, except that they require rather more care in 

 order to control the powdery mildew. The early sprayings with Bordeaux mixture 

 and Paris green were followed with five applications of potassium sulphide, used at 

 the rate of three ounces in ten gallons of water, the first being made upon the 

 17th of May and the others at intervals of about ten days. For the most part, these 

 later applications were not necessary upon the varieties of American origin, but as 

 the plantation included a large number of European varieties which are very sub- 

 ject to the attack of mildew, in our hot, dry summers, the sprayings mentioned 

 above were for the most part necessary. The expense of the material is compara- 

 tively small and the cost of applying it is slight. On the other hand, the benefits 

 were very marked, as, in the case of varieties which when left unsprayed would 

 have lost the entire crop, and at best would have made a weak and unhealthy 

 growth, a large yield of very fine fruit was secured. Many of the varieties averaged 

 from one-fourth to one-third of an ounce in weight for the single fruit. Although 

 grown under exactly the same conditions as the other sorts, for some unknown 

 reason, the kinds that have usually been most productive were least so in 1898, as 

 Downing, Smith, Houghton and Pale Red bore but few fruits, while Keepsake, 

 Apex, Lancashire and others of the European varieties gave good crops. Although 

 slight differences can be detected in both the plant and the shape and color of the 

 fruit, there is a close resemblance between many of the varieties of Ribcs grossularia, 

 the European gooseberry. Of the varieties under trial, Keepsake and Lancashire 

 have given the best results. The plants are of vigorous growth with stout branches 

 and thick, dark green leaves. The fruit in both cases is large, averaging one-third 

 of an ounce. In Keepsake they are yellowish green, with slight brown cheek on 

 the exposed side, and vary in form from oval to ovate, while those of the Lanca- 

 shire are of a rather long-oval and are green with a dull red blush. The veins in 

 both cases are quite distinct and of a pale green color. The flavor is mild and 

 pleasant and the juice abundant. Of the other varieties. Auburn, Chautauqua, 

 Columbus, Industry and Triumph gave fairly good results, although they were less 

 productive than those above mentioned. All of these except Triumph are of a 

 yellowish-green, with distinct yellow or yellowish-white veins, jiost of them are 

 of a roundish-oval form, but Columbus is nearly spherical. Of the American vari- 

 ties, Downing has been most commonly grown and is generally successful. Of the 

 new sorts. Pearl and Champion, wliich have a general resemblance to Downing, 

 seem to have much promise, although in size they are considerably smaller than 

 the European sorts, their we'ight being less than one-half as much. The general 

 characteristics of the other varieties can be ascertained from the accompanying 

 table and from previous reports. 



