Currant. 285 



CURRANT. 



FUNGOUS DISEASES. 



Anthracnose; Leaf Blight (Glceosporium Ribis, M. & D.). De- 

 scription. During the latter part of June and early in July 

 there occasionally appears upon the upper side of the foliage 

 of cultivated currants small brownish-black spots, which are 

 as yet still confined to the interior of the leaf tissue. As these 

 spots enlarge, the epidermis on the upper side of the leaf 

 becomes raised and loosened, and this gives a whitish appear- 

 ance to the affected part, although the general color of the 

 diseased tissue is dull brown. The entire leaf then changes to 

 yellow, and finally it falls to the ground, this taking place early 

 in August. 



Treatment. Although the disease has apparently remained 

 untreated, it is very probable that applications of fungicides, if 

 made thoroughly and early in the season, will prove effective 

 in controlling the trouble. 



Rust; Leaf Spot (Septoria Ribis, Desm. ; Cercospora angulata, 

 Wiiit.). Description. This disease attacks all varieties of 

 currants, generally appearing a little before midsummer. It 

 attacks the foliage of gooseberries as well. The first indica- 

 tion of the disease is the appearance of small brown spots upon 

 various parts of the foliage (Fig. 53). These may be so abun- 

 dant as to form considerable areas. 



What is probably another disease causes the formation of 

 whitish spots having black centers. These fungi are often 

 present at the same time, and as their histories are not yet 

 fully known and their treatment is the same, the two may here 

 be considered together. They cause the leaves to fall from the 

 bushes when the attack is severe, so that the plants may be 

 entirely bare during the latter part of the summer, thus greatly 

 weakening them. 



Treatment. The plants should be sprayed with a clear fungi- 

 cide, as the ammoniacal carbonate of copper, to avoid staining 

 the fruit. After harvesting, the Bordeaux mixture may be 

 used to advantage. The first application of the season should 

 be made about two weeks before the spots may be expected. 

 Since the Bordeaux mixture, if properly prepared, cannot injure 

 the plants, it may be freely applied. 



