232 Notes and Gleanings. 



Editors of Tilton's "Journal of Horticulture:" — 



A FEW years ago, I noticed that a part of my currants, soon after they began 

 to ripen, suddenly shrivelled and dried up. Year by year, the fruit became more 

 affected in this way ; and, last year, the entire crop, where formerly bushels were 

 gathered, was lost. The best cultivation and close pruning made no difference ; 

 and those partially shaded, and those fully exposed to the sun, suffered alike. 

 None of the books that I had gave me any light on the subject. I inquired of 

 the editor of one of the most popular agricultural papers, and was gravely told, 

 that, if I should examine, I should fine a minute worm in each affected currant. 

 Last fall, I had the bushes dug up and burned as worthless. On breaking some 

 of the twigs, the centre, or pith, appeared as if it had been traversed longitudinally 

 by a worm or borer; the channel or cavity being blackened. I immediately con- 

 cluded it to be the work of some new insect enemy. I find, on inquiry, that the 

 evil is wide-spread here ; almost every one to whom I have mentioned the sub- 

 ject saying their currants were affected in like manner. I found, in one case, 

 the bushes had been so perforated that they had broken badly. Can you tell us 

 any thing about this plague ? I have conjectured, that a moth or beetle deposits 

 its eggs in the young shoots soon after they begin to grow, and that the larvas, 

 or grubs, when hatched, eat their way downward in the centre, or pith, of the 

 shoot, and finally emerge by a hole on the side (as several such holes were found). 

 On the shoots thus bored, the fruit perishes before ripening, and the shoots 

 break easily. But I have liule knowledge of entomology, and this is merely 

 conjecture. 



In this town of twelve thousand people, there are few currants, I think, un- 

 affected as above mentioned. 



If this state of things continues, we can raise no currants. Enlighten us, if 

 you can. U. 



Adrian, Mich., May 26, 1869. 



[Our correspondent is only one of many who mourn over the destruction 

 caused by the currant-borer, which has long been known, though its ravages 

 have greatly increased within the last few years. The conclusions at which " U." 

 has arrived are correct as far as they go ; and we add such further information 

 as we have been able to collect. 



There are several species, of which the following are most common : — the 

 American Currant-Borer {Prenocerus supernotatus). " This is a small, cylin- 

 drical, white worm, destitute of feet, and with a small chestnut-brown head and 

 black jaws ; passing its pupa state in the stalks, and, in the latter part of May, 

 changing to a small, slender, long-horned beetle, of a black color, edged with 

 chestnut-brown : its wing-covers each with two small, gray spots forward of 

 their middle, and a white, crescent-shaped one towards their tips." — Dr. Fitch. 



The European Currant-Borer {Trochilium tipuliforme) is most common in 

 the Eastern States, having been received here from Europe. Imported bushes 

 generally contain mere or less of these pests. The moth is described by Dr. 

 Fitch as follows : " A small moth, having some resemblance to a wasp ; its wings 

 being clear and glossy, the fore pair opaque, yellowish at the tips, with a black 



