VARIETIES OF GOOSEBERRIES 265 



Enemies of Currants. — The currant borer attacks the stem and 

 sometimes kills considerable wood. Close pruning is a good remedy. 

 Burn the prunings. 



The currant maggot attacks the fruit about the time of ripening, 

 causing the berries to fall to the ground. The attacked fruit is 

 rendered useless because of the maggot inside the berries. The 

 scratching of chickens about the bushes will help to control 

 this pest. As the maggots crawl into the ground from the ripened 

 fruit, they are picked up by the poultry. Give the chickens free 

 run at this time, if the maggots are plentiful. 



The Currant Worm. — This is also called the imported currant 

 sawfly. This insect destroys the leaves by eating them. They are 

 therefore easily kept under control by poisoning. This should be 

 done as soon as the first attacks are noticed. 



The oyster-shell scale is sometimes a serious pest on currants 

 and other bush fruits. Winter sprays of lime-sulfur will help to 

 keep the scale under control. 



Leaf -spot disease is a rust which attacks both black and red 

 currants, causing the leaves to fall early. Ammonia copper car- 

 bonate spray is probably the best remedy, if the fruit is nearly 

 ready to ripen. After the picking season is over another spraying 

 with Bordeaux mixture is recommended. 



Renewing the Plantation. — One planting of currant bushes 

 should last many years if they are properly cared for. The cost of 

 starting a new plantation is very little as the plants are readily 

 propagated by cuttings. Some time is required to bring them to 

 full bearing and therefore the old bushes should be kept as long 

 as they are vigorous. 



GOOSEBERRIES 



This crop has been given much more attention in European 

 countries than in America. The fruit growing wild in America is 

 often used for food. 



Gooseberries are propagated chiefly by cuttings of ripened wood. 

 Mound layering is also practiced. 



Varieties of Gooseberries. — Popular varieties of American 

 gooseberries are Downing, Pearl, Josselyn, and Hougton. Euro- 

 pean varieties are Industry and Whitesmith. Varieties grown in 

 Canada and recommended because of their resistance to mildew 

 are Companion, Eagle, Glenton, Green, Queen of Trump, and 

 Snowball. 



