r6 4 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



to the fruit, which in all but very wet seasons keeps remarkably well. The mats 

 should be used when the fruit is evenly ripe, and if supported in the form of a cone, 

 instead of being flat at the top, heavy rains are thrown off, but the mats should be 

 loosened at the bottom on a fine day so that the air may dry the fruit as well as the 

 covering. Thus dried, the fruit will keep as late as desired. Different bushes should 

 be selected each year for matting, as they are more or less weakened by the process. 



Forcing. Currants are had early by planting against south walls, and they may be 

 forced. Bushes on short stems or standards are suitable, and if placed in a light orchard 

 house in spring, afford richer fruit than that grown outside. Small bushes laden with 

 fruit are charming for table decoration, especially garden parties and tea parties of 

 juveniles. In forcing they succeed under the same temperatures and conditions as 

 advised for cherries. 



DISEASES. Currants are not subject to many diseases, and those seldom inflict much 

 injury. The gooseberry fungus (^Ecidium grossularise) rarely attacks currants, except 

 when adjacent to gooseberries or in bad years. The JEcidium causes discoloured spots 

 on the leaves, and renders the fruits useless. See " Gooseberry Fungus." 



ENEMIES. Aphides, caterpillars, gall mites, shoot grubs, and woolly scale are the 

 chief pests infesting currant bushes. The Black Currant Louse (Aphis ribis-nigri) 

 attacks the young shoots and becomes firmly seated on the under side of the leaves, 

 abstracting their juices, stunting the growths, and spoiling the fruit. In its young 

 state the aphis is whitish, and much sought after and devoured by the common sparrow 

 (Passer domesticus). The Eed Currant Louse (Aphis ribis) fastens on the points of 

 the shoots, clusters on the under sides of the young leaves, and renders the fruit loath- 

 some. About the end of March or early in April, the viviparous females may be 

 found at the base of the buds; that is the time to attack them, for by killing the first 

 generation they are prevented multiplying. Bushes dusted with quicklime, or smeared 

 with Taylor's mixture (page 191, Yol. I.) for the preservation of the buds from birds, are 

 seldom infested with aphides, as the eggs are destroyed, but when that has not been 

 done, care should be taken to exterminate the spring brood. This may be effected by 

 washing the bushes when the buds are unfolding or shortly afterwards with the following 

 mixture: quassia chips, 3 pounds; soft soap, 3 pounds; rainwater, 48 gallons. Steep 

 the chips in cold water twelve hours, then boil for two hours, strain and add to the soft 

 soap, dissolved in the remainder of the water, mix, and apply at 90 to 100, syringing 

 from below as well as over the bushes so as to wet every part. Kepeat if necessary, 



