FRUIT ON THE FARM. 279 



in use, beginning before the fruit is grown and continuing for 

 many weeks. The season for this fruit may be prolonged till 

 September if the bushes are shaded after the middle of May. 

 This can be done by spreading straw mats, or coffee-sacking over 

 them, allowing it to rest on a frame so as to relieve the bush of 

 its weight. On light soils mulching will keep the land cool and 

 prolong the season. A few bushes well cared for will give 

 better results than a much larger number neglected. I would 

 not advise planting nearer than five feet each way. This will 

 give over seventeen hundred plants to the acre, and four quarts 

 to the plant would make over two hundred bushels of fruit. 

 Near a good market the crop often proves largely profitable, 

 sometimes bringing five hundred dollars or more per acre. 



Of late years the currant-worm, in many localities, has eaten 

 all the leaves from the plant, ruining the crop and damaging 

 the plantation. It is not difficult to destroy them if taken in 

 time. They may be treated with powdered hellebore, which 

 may be applied in solution, one tablespoonful to a pailful of water, 

 or it may be mixed with sifted ashes at the rate of one pint to 

 one gallon of ashes and one pint of flour of sulphur. This 

 mixture should be applied when the dew is on, so it will adhere 

 to the leaves. It is important that these remedies be used at the 

 first appearance of the worm, and that they be followed up regu- 

 larly until all are destroyed. The Red Dutch, White Grape, 

 and Cherry are standard varieties. 



Gooseberries. The same general treatment is required 

 for the gooseberry as for the currant. Plant so as to cultivate 

 both ways, five feet apart each way, and keep well pruned. 

 They yield enormously. I have gathered a bushel from six 

 plants of the Houghton. The large English varieties are subject 

 to mildew and are hardly worthy of cultivation in this country, 

 but the Downing, Smith's Improved, and Houghton are seldom 

 affected, and bear heavy crops. They can be very cheaply 

 gathered by using thick gloves to protect the hands. The 

 picker should wear a long apron, and in gathering he kneels and 

 spreads this on the ground under the bush, then with the gloved 

 hands strips off the berries and lets them fall on the apron. 



