CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRIES 171 



established. In the most northern states they may be 

 set in full exposure to the sun, but farther south it is 

 desirable to choose a partially shaded situation. Good 

 tillage or heavy mulching should be given and liberal 

 applications of wood ashes or other fertilizer rich in 

 potash should be made. The bushes will begin bearing 

 the second season after planting. After that the old 

 wood should be removed occasionally, though care 

 shotild be taken not to thin out too severely. 



Diseases and Enemies 



The Currant is subject to certain leaf-spot diseases, 

 which often cause the early dropping of the foliage and 

 a loss of fruitfulness the following season. These are 

 due to the growth of parasitic fungi, which produce 

 small brownish spots that gradually enlarge until they 

 cover most of the leaf, or several may run together to 

 form large blotches. The leaves soon drop off and the 

 storage of food materials by the bush ceases for the 

 season. Sometimes an existing crop upon the vines is 

 unable to ripen, but more often the loss is shown in the 

 smallness of the crop the following season. The choos- 

 ing of cuttings from the least affected bushes, the burn- 

 ing of fallen leaves, and spraying with fungicides are the 

 best measures of prevention. 



The Currant Worm is one of the most destructive 

 garden insects. It is found in most places where cur- 

 rants are grown, and unless poisoned commonly defoli- 

 ates the bushes. Wintering over in cocoons beneath 

 the bushes, the parent flies appear in the garden early 

 in spring and lay their eggs upon the young leaves. The 

 eggs soon hatch into the worms or larvae that devour 



