FRUIT DISEASES. 299 



and is easily dispersed by the agency of wind, rain, insects, 

 and birds, to other bushes, thus infecting a whole planta- 

 tion in a short period. During the winter the mildew 

 changes to a dark brown hue, and remains in the myce- 

 lium stage in the points of the shoots till spring, then 

 infects the new growth. Under the provisions of the 

 Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1887 and 1907, this 

 disease is scheduled as a notifiable one ; consequently any- 

 one suspecting it to be present on his bushes must, under 

 a penalty of 10 in default, notify the fact to the local 

 inspector appointed under the Act, or direct to the Board- 

 The officials will inspect the bushes, and, if they are 

 infected with the disease, instruct the grower what to do 

 to get rid of it. 



Gooseberry Black-Knot (Plowrightia ribesia). A para- 

 sitic fungus which develops in wounds, and causes the 

 foliage to wilt, turn yellow, and fall off early in the 

 season. The result is feeble growth the next season, and 

 the ultimate death of the shoot or branch. All shoots or 

 branches with yellow, wilted foliage should be cut off and 

 burnt. 



Gooseberry Mildew (Microsphsera grossulariae). Ap- 

 pears on the leaves in summer in the form of a greyish- 

 white mould. Does not infect the shoots or fruit as does 

 the American Mildew. Spray the bushes with a solution 

 of sulphide of potassium when the leaves begin to unfold. 



Gooseberry-leaf Cluster Cups (Puccinia pringsheimiana). 

 This fungus appears in the form of tiny cups with 

 whitish, laciniated edges, on the leaves and fruit. Each 

 cup contains orange-coloured spores. Collect and burn 

 all diseased leaves or fruit. 



Currant-leaf Spot (Pseudopeziza ribis). This appears 

 on the surface of the fully-grown leaves as blackish spots. 

 The mycelium spreads in the tissues, and prevents the 

 leaves carrying on their functions ; hence they die, thus 

 weakening the growth of the tree- Burn all fallen leaves, 



