39 



nirio; mill to blow out leaves and other light refuse. If picked while still 

 perfectly green and tinu this method is entirely feasible. 



The five or ten pound grape basket makes a very convenient and satis- 

 factory package for marketing these fruits, particularly goosel)erries, 

 though they are often marketed in the ordinary quart basket. 



Enemies. 



Among the enemies of the groselles, the San Jos^ scale should perhaps 

 I'eceive fii'st mention, since it seems to be very partial to the currant as a 

 food plant. This pest is now so thoroughly established and so generally 

 distributed in New England that we must reckon with it as one of our 

 standing enemies. We maj* be fortunate enough to escaj^e it for a time, 

 but are liable to meet it at any time, it can be controlled V)y spraying 

 with the lime, sulphur and salt mixtures which are now so generally 

 used, and by several other methods. The recommended methods for 

 dealing with this pest have changed so rapidly in recent years that it is 

 pi'obable that we have not yet found the best plan of treatment. It is 

 true, however, that the lime, sulphur and salt is proving an efficient 

 remedy, though one somewhat troublesome to prepare. 



Currant borers sometimes cause serious injury to these fruits. The 

 onl}' feasible remedy is to cut out and destroy infested stalkes. AVhen 

 the principle of frequent renewal in pruning is followed, there is not 

 likely to be serious loss from this pest. The older method of growing 

 the plants in tree form, with a single stalk, rendered the possibility of 

 damage from this insect much greater than it is under the present more 

 general custom of allowing a number of stalks to grow from each root. 



The currant tly sometimes causes serious trouble. This insect deposits 

 its egg within the growing fruit. The larva which hatches may work 

 from beiTj- to berry, destroying the appearance of the cluster and render- 

 ing it practically worthless for market jHirposes. Unfortvmately, the 

 only remedy which seems available is to ]jick off and destroy infested 

 fruits as soon as the insect is known. This, though a somewhat expen- 

 sive process, may be really more feasible than at first glance it appears 

 to l)e, provided help can be obtained to do the work. 



The currant worms, of which there are two species, one native and the 

 other imported, are the best known enemies of these fruits. They are, 

 however, easily controlled. Powdered hellebore, at the rate of an ounce 

 to three gallons of water, is an efficient and particularly feasible remedy. 

 The eggs are usually laid near the base of the plants, and if spraying is 

 done very early, Paris green or arsenate of lead raaj- be used, destroying 

 many of the worms before they spread to other parts of the plant. 



Gooseberry mildew, as already suggested, is the chief enemy of the 

 Engli.sh gooseberry. It also sometimes attacks the Downing. It is a 

 fungous disease which makes its appearance first on the leaves, covering 

 them with a dirty grayish gTowth. It may later attack the fruit as well, 

 rendering it unfit for use. Destroying the leaves as it does, it weakens 

 the plant and prevents it from making growth or elaborating food for 

 the next year's crop. The best and simplest remedy is thorough, fre- 

 quent spraying with potassium sulphide, known also as liver of sulphur, 

 used at the rate of one ounce to three gallons of water. This is a simpler 

 and more effective remedy than our standard fungicide, Bordeaux mix- 

 ture, though the latter is also a fairly efficient remedy. 



Leaf-spot fungi are also troublesome to both the currant and the 

 gooseberry. It is the common occurrence for these plants to lose all 

 their leaves long before the summer is over. This greatly- weakens 

 their condition. When thoroughly sprayed with Bordeaux mixture the 

 leaves may be held on much later, with consequent iuijjrovenunt in the 

 vigor and general condition of the plant. 



