878s REPORT OF 
-is borne in pear-shaped bodies called pycnidia, and a4 be found — 
1e 
£. 
i vor es Me fas Mir a A a ; BAT ee A, 
THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
” (f) PYCNIDIA.. 
There is a third form of spore among the Powdery mildews, T 
‘among the filaments along with the young perithecia. The pycnidia — j 
of the gooseberry mildew are as shown in Fig. 2. Theslenderspores _ 
escape in great numbers through a pore nearone end. These spores —_ 
are doubtless for the rapid propagation of the fungus during its 
growing season, * Os 
ay ores 
ae 
(g) CONDITIONS OF DEVELOPMENT AND REMEDIES. he What 
@ re aa) 
As to the conditions favoring the growth of the gooseberry mil- 
dew the following quotations are offered from standard works upon 
fruit culture. | Barry} says: ess 
In northern New York, in Maine. Vermont, and Lower Canada the finest large 
English varieties are brought to greater perfection than in warmer districts,and 
withvood culture almost come up to the English standard. Inacold,damp, bottom 
soil at Toronto, almost on a level with Lake Ontario, fine crops are produced with © * 
comparatively little difficulty from mildew orrust. This would indicateasaremedy 
a cool soil and situation, and mulching the roots to keep them cool. ri 
The last report of the American Pomological Society indicates, by _ 
a table of States, that the gooseberry is grown generally between — 
the 35th and 45th parallels of latitude where there is a sufficient ~ 
average rain-fall, Only a few States carry the double star for any 
variety, which isthe index for their successful culture, Massachu- — 
setts, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee have each two varieties with 
two stars, and those States may be taken asindicating the range of 
territory best suited to gooseberries. Mr. Thomast writes: 
Manuring, high culture, and pruning will in some cases prove sufficient to prevent 
mildew. This may be assisted by the cautious application of salt, either thinly over 
the soil or directly upon the plant ; in the latter case the solution should be so thin ~ 
‘that the saline taste may just be perceptible. Shading by a thick coat of salt hay 
appears to be an efficient remedy. It should be spread in a layer of several inches, 
or even a foot, in thickness, crowding it down to make room for the branches. — 
This should be done in the spring. ¢ 
Mr. Roe§ thinks that ‘“‘repeated applications of the flowers of sul- _ 
phur over the bushes from the time the fruit sets until it is ripe is. 
probably the best preventive.” Mr. Fuller|| devotes the most space — 
to the consideration of the gooseberry mildew, and says: , 
There are many remedies which have been from time to time recommended, and 
they often appear to be effectual, while in other instances they are of no usé what- 
ever. The following remedies against mildew are worth trying, although they can — 
not be called radical cures. Scatter flowers of sulphur over the bushes soon after 
the berries have set,and repeat the application occasionally until the fruit is ripe. 
Water the plants with strong soap-suds, or dissolve 1 pound of potash in a barrel of 
water and then sprinkle the plants once a week with it. Soak fresh-mown hay in 
brine for twelve hours ; then cover the entire surface of the soil about the plant with 
this as amulch. If hops, tan-bark, or other mulch has previously been applied, then 
sprinkle it with salt; a single handful to each plant will be sufficient. All of these 
remedies will often fail, but still they are worth trying. Old plants are more liable 
to suffer from mildew than young ones, therefore it is best to keep a supply of fresh 
*See foot note, page 375. : , 
+ Barry’s Fruit Garden, page 477. te 
¢ American Fruit Culturist, page 163. | “ 
S Success with Small Fruits, page 226. 
{Small Fruit Culturist, page 227. AR is, 
