THE HEART OF THE YEAR 



a pair of Malbec bellows, which distributes it evenly and July 

 economically. ^~" 



Fruit 



Thinning Apples. — Apples ought to be swelling up 

 their fruit steadily now, and finer examples will develop 

 if, where the fruits hang thickly, they are reduced to 

 two per spur than where they are allowed to remain 

 crowded. 



Sawfly Caterpillar on Gooseberries. — If a Gooseberry 

 grower finds that the foliage is being eaten after the 

 fruit has been gathered, he should search for a small 

 green, black-headed caterpillar, and if he finds it, he 

 may safely credit it with the mischief. If the caterpillars 

 are not present in considerable numbers perhaps spray- 

 ing on the paraffin and soft-soap wash recommended 

 under Onions in Chapter VI. will suffice ; if not, helle- 

 bore powder should be resorted to. This is certain to 

 prove a remedy if it is dusted on. If it is ever used on 

 Gooseberries that are bearing fruit, the bushes should be 

 vigorously syringed two or three days afterwards, as the 

 powder is poisonous. 



American Gooseberry Mildezv. — Gooseberry leaves are 

 sometimes affected by white patches, which afterwards 

 become brown and felt-like. The fruit is also attacked. 

 The young wood may be marked with brown. These 

 signs point to an attack of American Gooseberry mildew, 

 which has spread a great deal during recent years, and 

 become epidemic. In bad cases the bushes ought to be 

 burned. In slight attacks the young shoots which are 

 affected may be cut off and burned, and the bushes 

 sprayed with sulphide of potassium — one ounce in three 

 gallons of water. 



279 



