Insects, etc., Injurious to Currants. 243 



according to many growers, resist the attack. A few, on the other 

 hand, find them to be attacked. In one or two places I have seen 

 the French as bad as any other variety, but such is very unusual. 

 Clean stock can be got here and there in Britain, notably in North- 

 umberland, parts of Kent, and in parts of Hampshire. I have seen 

 many clean plantations dotted over the country. 



It is important that cultivation should be made from this clean 

 stock.* 



(2) Disinfection of cuttings. Cuttings can be safely disinfected 

 by immersing them in water for some days before setting. Cold 

 water has been found quite successful if left in it for a couple of days. 



A better treatment was found by Pickering, namely, of immersing 

 the material in water at 115 F. for ten minutes before planting (14). 



(3) Immune Stock. No such thing exists, but we may well bear 

 in mind that certain varieties do resist this disease. Of all, the 

 Boskoop^Giant is best ; this is not due to any actual immunity, but 

 to strong growth. The French must also be duly considered. 



The old Kent Cottage currant was found to resist this disease for 

 many years, but now it is as bad as any other. 



A strong growing variety is that which will withstand it longest, 

 and that is all that is needed, for in such a paying crop we can well 

 afford to grub and replant when the disease has got too strong a hold 

 upon the bushes. 



(4) Hand-picking. Nothing is better than this. If a plantation 

 is gone over twice a year and the swollen buds picked into sacks and 

 burnt the pest can be well kept in hand. 



From repeated observations I have found that the bud above and 

 the bud below a swollen one contains mites, and thus in hand-picking 

 it is well to take one off above and below the diseased one. 



(5) Dusti-ny with Lime and Sulphur. The writer has never found 

 this of the least benefit, but two large growers who can be relied upon 

 have found it beneficial. On the other hand, we must note the 

 record of hundreds of others, who have found little or no use in this 

 treatment. 



It is mentioned here in case anyone cares to try it, but from all 

 the reports sent me and from personal experience it cannot be 

 recommended, as too frequently it means useless expenditure of 

 money. 



The treatment as advised by Mr. Collinge is as follows : Dust 



* Most unfortunately the importation of French currants is prohibited b}- 

 the Board of Agriculture, as it is said to be a host of the American Gooseberry 

 Mildew. 



R 2 



