316 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



and so nearly like the Downing that it is difljciilt to distinguish between 

 them. 



The English varieties are not grown very extensively in this country 

 on account of their extreme susceptibility to mildew. They are often 

 shy beiirers, but the fruit of most of the varieties is large and of at- 

 tractive appearance. Where there is a market for fancy gooseberries, 

 they will bring a good price. The following varieties are considered the 

 best: 



Chautauqua. — The bush is vigorous and productive, fruit very large, 

 pale green in color and of high quality. Valuable for home use. 



Columbus. — Bush vigorous, fruit somewhat like that of the Chau- 

 tauqua. It is not as susceptible to mildew as some of the other varieties. 



Industry. — Bush vigorous, most productive of the English varieties. 

 Fruit is very large and dark red when ripe and quite hairy. One of 

 the best English sorts, although the reddish color is somewhat against 

 it. 



Portage is one of the newer varieties. It is an American 

 raised seedling of a European variety. It is vigorous, pro- 

 ductive and hardy. The fruit is pale green, smooth and attractive, nearly 

 as large as that of the Chautauqua and probably averages about half 

 way between the Downing and the Chautauqua. It is practically as 

 free from mildew as the American varieties. 



RAISING PLANTS. 



Gooseberry plants are not difficult to raise by the following method: 

 Make cuttings of the past season's wood, either in fall or early spring, 

 about eight inches long and of well ripened wood. If cut in the fall, 

 thev are most easily handled bv tving them in bundles, labeling and 

 packing them in damp sand or moss in a cool cellar. Early in spring, 

 they should be planted in nursery rows, leaving two buds above the 

 ground. It is essential to get the cuttings planted before the growth 

 starts and good cultivation should be given them during the season. 



CURRANTS. 



The planting, culture, pruning, and propagation of the currant is 

 the same as that of the gooseberry. The location of the currant plan- 

 tation should, however, be somewhat different from that of the goose- 

 berry. Currants do the best in partial shade and that of a fence row 

 or an orchard is quite desirable, but it would not be desirable to set 

 currant bushes in an orchard unless the soil is very fertile. And the 

 bushes should, of course, be set where they will least interfere with the 

 usual operations in the care of the trees. Generally, it is not advisable 

 to set currants in an old orchard, as the trees use practically all of the 

 available plant food. Currants will thrive on a soil that is more moist 

 than gooseberries and they do not require as free a circulation of air, 

 since they are not susceptible to the mildew. 



control of insects and diseases. 



The insects and diseases most common and troublesome to currant 

 bushes, foliage and fruit can be controlled by the treatment outlined 

 for the gooseberry on page 0. 



