370 Landscape Gardening 



plants, as if put close up to them it causes weeds and grass 

 to grow in among the canes which are difficult to get out. 



The pruning needed consists in cutting out the old wood, 

 i.e., that more than three or four years old, in such a way 

 as to give the bushes an upright form and produce young 

 and vigorous wood, upon which only large and fine fruit 

 can be grown. During the time of ripening much fruit 

 will be saved from being spattered with soil if a mulch of 

 2 or 3 inches is put around under the bushes. 



For home use the best varieties are the Wilder, Red Cross, 

 White Imperial and Diploma. 



The currant-worm is the only insect seriously injurious 

 to this fruit, but unless it is destroyed will generally ruin 

 the crop. It comes on with the early unfolding of the 

 leaves, works rapidly, and requires only a few days to com- 

 pletely denude the bushes of foliage. Close watch must be 

 kept, and at the first appearance of this pest powdered 

 hellebore must be applied while the leaves are wet or be put 

 on in water, a large tablespoonful to a pail of water, with 

 the watering-can or spraying-pump. A second brood of 

 these insects appears in about two weeks from the first, 

 when a second application of hellebore is necessary. 



Spraying with the Bordeaux mixture just before the blos- 

 soms open, and again after the fruit has been picked, will 

 prevent the leaf-blight that often seriously weakens the 

 bushes. 



The gooseberry requires the same treatment as the currant, 

 but must be planted in a rather more airy place to prevent 

 the mildew that often ruins the fruit. Spraying with the 

 Bordeaux mixture will sometimes prevent this disease. If 

 the currants and gooseberries are planted together, the first 

 brood of the currant-worms will be found largely on the 

 latter while the second brood will be on the former only. 



Varieties recommended are, Columbus, Downing, Josselyn. 



