FRUIT GROWING PROBLEMS 131 



Red Currants Failing 



Q. I have sent you a few leaves of my Red Currants, also a small 

 box of fruit. Would you please tell me how I can prevent their 

 getting so black 1 The leaves first get in a sticky state and then 

 turn black just as if soot had been thrown over them. Do you think 

 smuts from chimneys would cause it 1 We have a brick kiln near. 

 </., Bradford. 



A. In the first place your Currant tree leaves have been infested 



PEAR DURONDEAU. 



badly with aphides, and the matter from them has covered the 

 leaves with a sticky substance which has been favourable to the 

 collection of dust, and soot from the brick kiln. The only thing you 

 can do is to syringe the bushes early in the season and free the 

 foliage from the aphides, and frequently afterwards to dislodge the 

 dust and soot. 



Black Currants Affected with Big Bud 



Q. Can you tell me how to cure my Black Currants of this most 

 troublesome pest ? Anxious, Esher. 



A. Since the trees are young, having been planted only two years, 



