DISEASES AND ENEMIES OF FRUIT. 



855 



species are readily destroyed by hand-gathering, and the smaller ones can usually be driven 

 off by dusting the plants with lime. 



The most formidable enemy, however, of both the blackberry and raspberry is what is 

 called the Orange-rust (Uredo ruborum): It is perhaps more abundant on the Black-cap 

 raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) than on the ordinary varieties of the blackberry; still it is 

 sufficiently abundant and destructive to all to attract the attention of horticulturists 

 throughout the country. I do not know of any remedy except to stamp out the disease by 

 rooting up every affected plant and burning it. It may be that applications of lime, salt, or 

 some similar substance would check the disease, and while these may be safely tried as 

 preventive measures, the destroying of all infested plants should not be omitted. 



The Raspberry. As the raspberry is closely allied to the blackberry and belongs to 

 the same genus, the diseases and insects infesting both do not materially differ. Some few 

 species of insects seem to prefer the raspberry, notably among which is what 

 is called the Red-necked Buprestis (Agrillm rii/icalUs), a small beetle that 

 seems to be particularly fond of the red and black-cap varieties, but will 

 occasionally attack the blackberry. The larva bores the canes in summer, 

 causing large excrescences or galls, checking the flow of sap, and causing the 

 death of the cane. This insect seems to be far more plentiful in the western 

 than eastern States; but it is widely distributed, and every cultivator of the 

 raspberry may as well be on the lookout for it, and gather and burn all canes 

 upon which galls of any kind are found. AGRILUS 



The snowy Tree-cricket ((Ecanthus niveus) is another insect that appears to prefer the 

 canes of the raspberry as a nidus for its eggs to the twigs of other shrubs or trees. It will, 

 however, use the grape, willow, peach, and other kinds, if raspberries are not convenient. 

 The long, slender eggs are deposited in a close compact row, an inch or more in length, each 

 egg placed at a slight angle, and deep enough to reach the pith of the cane or twig in which 

 it is set. This weakens the canes, and they are often broken off by the wind. This injury 

 does not amount to much, but the perfect insect has a very bad habit of cutting off leaves in 

 summer; and sometimes extends its mischievous work to the grape-vine, trimming off both 

 leaves and fruit, working at night when perfectly safe from observation or molestation. One 

 of my correspondents in Texas wrote me, a few years ago, that one of these pests would 

 completely defoliate a young grape-vine in a single night, and he was a long time in discern 

 ing the successful nocturnal pruner, and when discovered he was at a loss how to circumvent 

 it. Destroying the eggs is the only way I know of fighting this insect. 



The Currant and Gooseberry. After two or three centuries of almost entire 



exemption from noxious insects, it is no wonder 

 that our people came to look upon the currant as a 

 fruit for everybody, and one that could be raised in 

 almost any corner of the garden without care or 

 cultivation; but all at once and without warning, 

 not only did its ancient enemy from the other side 

 of the Atlantic appear in this country and com 

 mence its destructive work, but several native spe 

 cies of insects joined in making havoc with our 

 currant and gooseberry bushes. First&amp;gt; the im 

 ported currant worm (Nematus ventricosus) made 

 its appearance about Rochester, New York, in 1857; 

 then it was soon discovered that we had a goose 

 berry span-worm. (Eufitchia riberaria), the former 

 IMPORTED CURRANT WORM :-*a, a, a, larva in different being the larva of a four- winged fly, and the latter 



positions; b, side of a middle-joint enlarged, showing .-! ,-, ,-, ,-, ml _ 



arrangement of tubercles (after Kiley). tne caterpillar of a small moth. These two species 



