The Small Fruits. 



161 



The currants may also be readily propagated by layering 

 the branches, which will root the first season if covered in 

 spring or early summer. 



The red and white currant, of which there are several 

 varieties of each color, is the only 

 one grown commercially in Amer- 

 ica to a large extent, the black cur- 

 rants having not become popular 

 in this country. 



The currants are so easily propa- 

 gated, and fruit so young and so 

 profusely, that the market for the 

 fruit is readily overstocked. The 

 crop may be left on the bushes a 

 long time after maturity, however, 

 which enables proportionally more 

 of the fruit to be sold than of 

 shorter-lived fruits. 



23?'. Parasitic enemies. The 

 curraut, despite its hardiness, is 

 harassed by several parasites that 

 render the plants nearly useless 

 FIG. 46. Fruiting wood of red ^^^^^^^ controlled by prompt treat- 



currant. S S, spurs. 



ments. 

 238. The imported currant worm {Xematus ventncosus) 

 attacks the foliage of the red and white currants soon after 

 it expands in spring and usually defoliates the bushes if 

 neglected. The eggs are commonly laid on the lower 

 leaves near the center of the plant, and the young larvae, 

 which at first eat small holes through the leaves, are often 

 unnoticed unless specially looked for. The larva) are 

 whitish at first, but soon become green, and later are 

 11 



