196 SMALL FKUIT CULTUKIST. 



be five to six feet apart, if it is desirable to have them 

 grow to full size, although they are readily kept within a 

 much less space, but much fruit will be lost by severe 

 pruning. These coarse growing species usually produce 

 better and larger fruit on old plants than on the young, 

 provided they are given good culture, and all little, weak 

 shoots are annually cut out, so that those remaining will 

 be fully developed. 



The tree form is preferable to the bush or clump for all 

 the varieties of the species last named. 



INSECTS AND DISEASES. 



Insects injurious to the Currant and Gooseberry have 

 long been known in Europe, and it would be very strange 

 indeed if we should not import them along with the 

 plants annually arriving from those countries. 



This we have done in many instances, and in a few lo- 

 calities the Currant has been seriously injured by these 

 foreign pests. 



Probably the most destructive insect to the Currant, in- 

 troduced or known in this country, is the Currant Worm, 

 or what is known in England as the larva of the Magpie 

 Moth (Abraxis grossulariata). 



This insect has been very destructive in Central New 

 York for more than twenty years, commencing in the east- 

 ern portion and gradually passing westward. It is said, 

 however, ti oL Ct has ceased almost entirely its depreda- 

 tions, and ie pkfew were seen the past year. It will 

 probably maV er \s appearance in some other section very 

 soon, if it ha n 1% already done so. 



Personally, * an iiave had no experience with the insect, 

 never having seen one; consequently the following re- 

 marks are gathered from sources which I have thought re- 

 liable : 



Dr. Asa Fitch, in his reports to the New York State 

 Agricultural Society, in 1847, page 461, mentions what 



