The Canadian Horticulturist. 51 



ventricosus) and what is commonly known as the gooseberry worm {Tempelta 

 grossularia). The first of these insects is hatched early in May, and so numerous 

 do they become that they will completely defoliate an entire plantation, unless 

 given an application of white hellebore, which will effectually stop their ravages 

 and save the crop. This insect is not nearly so abundant or destructive as 

 formerly. The gooseberry worm mentioned was also a threatening scourge, but 

 its numbers are less and it may disappear from our gooseberry bushes 

 altogether. After hatching, the worm eats its way to the inside of the berry 

 and devours its contents, then immediately joins itself to another berry, enters 

 and devours it also, and so continues. No remedy is known for this insect aside 

 from hand-picking. 



Occasionally plantations are attacked with a form of mildew, destroying the 

 the fruit and rendering the bushes unprofitable and worthless. In my opinion, 

 the cause of these diseases is atmospheric, and the remedies, to forbear planting 

 varieties that are subject to such parasitic growths. Happily several varieties 

 have been introduced within the past few years that are seldom, if ever, attacked 

 by this mildew. 



In conclusion, I may state that our standard varieties of gooseberries are 

 limited to three or four, as a variety must be at once hardy to stand our climate, 

 free from mildew, a good grower, and an abundant bearer, with fruit of first-class 

 quality ; these points are fully developed in Industry, Smith's Improved, Down- 

 ing and Houghton's Seedling. — Ohio Farmer. 



Early Tomatoes. — The experiments with tomatoes at the Maine station 

 are reported by W. M. Munson (B. 9) as emphasizing the value of setting 

 tomato plants as early in the spring as possible. Plants handled in pots 

 previous to setting in the field are more vigorous and productive than those not 

 so handled. This fact is of much importance to the market gardener, who 

 wishes hardy plants which give large returns. The individual variation of 

 plants of any one variety is often so marked as to obscure the effects of different 

 methods of culture, and to prevent the forming of reliable conclusions from one 

 season's crop. The productiveness of any given variety may be largely increased 

 by crossing with some of the smaller, less valuable sorts. But the new variety 

 will often quickly deteriorate, and the increased productiveness be wholly lost 

 in a few years, even under good culture. Seeds from plants grown under the 

 best house culture may give the best results. In the crosses made, the com- 

 bining of the I.orillard-Currant hybrid with Lorillard, the size was doubled and 

 the quality much improved, but the number of fruits, was lessened. The most 

 promising novelties were the Burpee's Climax, the Maule's Earliest, and 

 Brinton's Best. In the cool climate of Maine, Ponderosa, Buckeye, State, 

 Royal Red and Stone were too late ; Lemon Blush lacked its distinguishing 

 characteristic, and Terra Cotta was of inferior quality. — American Agriculturist 



