EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 315 



season's Growth cut back a little, depending upon the growth made. The 

 young shoots not needed should be cut out every year. A few of the 

 stronger ones should be left to replace the older bearing canes. The 

 gooseberry bears its best fruit on canes from two to four years old and 

 by leaving one or two of the stronger young shoots each year and cut- 

 ting out one or two of the old ones, the bearing wood can be kept in 

 the best condition. 



In pruning it is highly important to keep on the lookout for the 

 cane borer which is a little worm that bores in the center or pith of 

 th.e cane. This worm almost always Avorks downward. A cane with 

 a black center and somewhat hollow indicates the work of the borer 

 and such a cane should be cut back until the sound healthy pith is 

 reached. 



CONTROLLING INSECTS AND DISEASES. 



Gooseberry bushes should be frequently inspected for San Jose scale 

 or the European fruit scale, especially in localities where these insects 

 are known to be common. They can be destroyed by spraying the bushes 

 early in the spring before growth starts with the strong lime sulphur. 



The mildew (a common and serious fungous disease especially of the 

 English varieties) and leaf spot diseases and "worms" can be con- 

 trolled with (he dihite lime sulphur or Bordeaux to which is added 

 2 pounds of arsenate of lead to every 50 gallons. Make the first spraying 

 just as the leaves are expanding and again when the fruit is about one- 

 fourth grown. 



If the mildew is serious or the varieties are English use the dilute 

 lime sulphur without arsenate of lead every 10 or 12 days. 



If worms are found after the fruit is one-fourth grown poison them 

 with pyrethrum or hellebore.. 



Leaf bugs or aphids may appear. When they do, spray with nicotine 

 or strong tobacco water while the bugs are red and wingless and be- 

 fore the leaves have become curled. 



When pruning, if a cane is cut that shows discolored pith, it may in- 

 dicate the cane borer. Cut back to sound pith. Burn trimmings. 



Wilted foliage at any time indicates the cane borer. Cut out and 

 burn. 



VARIETIES. 



The following American varieties have been found to be comparatively 

 free from the mildew: 



Downing is the most valuable variety grown for commercial purposes. 

 It is vigorous and jjroductive. The fruit is of good size and of yellowish 

 green color. It will not stand neglect as well as some other varieties. 



Houghton is second in value on account of its vigor, freedom from 

 disease and ability to withstand lack of care. Its growth is more slender 

 and spreading than that of the Downing, It is very productive but 

 the fruit is not as large nor as attractive as that of the Downing. 



Bed Jacket and Pearl are tAVo varieties quite commonly planted. 

 Bed Jacket is vigorous and prolific, its berries are good sized and red 

 when ripe. The reddish tinge makes them undesirable for market pur- 

 poses. The Pearl is a cross between the Downing and English variety 



