204 INJURIOUS INSECTS 



state, should carefully wash the roots of the plants, and 

 burn whatever may be washed from them. 



REMEDIES. When the worms are not checked, they 

 soon strip both the Currant and Gooseberry bushes of 

 their leaves, and the partly grown fruit shrivels and dies. 

 The insect threatened to put an end to Currant culture 

 in localities where it is an important crop, until an effec- 

 tive remedy was made known. By the prompt use of 

 White Hellebore the insect may be subdued with but lit- 

 tle trouble and the crop saved. Some papers speak of 

 the use of "Hellebore," and it is necessary to specify 

 White Hellebore ( Veratrum album) which is an entirely 

 different drug from the Black Hellebore (Helleborus 

 niger). The powdered root, as sold at the drug stores, is 

 of a light greenish-yellow color and excites violent sneez- 

 ing when taken into the nostrils, hence care should be 

 observed in handling it. The powder may be sprinkled 

 upon the bushes by means of a tin sifter, but this is often 

 attended by unpleasant sneezing, and is not so economi- 

 cal or effective as to apply it mixed with water. Place a 

 heaping tablespoonful of the powder in a bowl or other 

 dish holding a quart or more, gradually add boiling 

 water, stirring to make sure that the powder is thoroughly 

 wetted; then add more water, stirring until a quart, more 

 or less, has been added. Turn this mixture into a pail- 

 ful of cold water, stir well, and apply by the use of any 

 garden syringe or hand engine, or a watering pot may be 

 used. The object should be to wet every leaf, hence 

 much force is not needed. In a few days, if any worms 

 are found to have escaped, the application should be re- 

 peated; rarely are more than two doses needed. While 

 White Hellebore is poisonous, no danger need be appre- 

 hended from the use of the fruit from bushes thus 

 treated. The chances are that the rains will wash off 

 any of the powder that may adhere to the clusters; but 

 if any appreciable quantity should remain, the fruit 



