204 BUSH FRUITS 



Anthracnose. — The anthracnose attacks all parts of the 

 currant and the gooseberry. The anthracnose only becomes 

 serious at certain times, but cases are reported where great 

 damage has resulted from this trouble. The first symptom 

 of this disease is the appearance of small dark brown spots 

 on the leaves. These spots later change to yellow and the 

 leaves fall off. Upon the canes, the stems, and the fruit, 

 the disease appears as small sunken spots. Spraying with 

 the standard 4-4-50 Bordeaux mixture will control this 

 disease. The first spraying should be given just as the buds 

 begin to swell in the spring. After the first spray succes- 

 sive sprayings should be given every two weeks until four or 

 five have been applied. 



Powdery Mildew. — The powdery mildew is found growing 

 on both the currant and the gooseberry. This disease 

 appears on all parts of the plant. The affected parts look 

 as though they had been sprinkled with flour or some other 

 white material. The powdery mildew, like all other mildews, 

 is a superficial fungus, and upon close examination small 

 white threads matted in a dense mass over the affected parts 

 will be found. If the disease is allowed to progress with- 

 out any restraint, the berries become deformed, irregular 

 and of poor quality. They often crack open and later rot. 

 The damage caused by this disease is considerable, and it 

 retards the cultivation of these fruits in many sections. 

 According to the work done at the Geneva Experiment 

 Station the spraying with potassium sulphide at the rate of 

 1 ounce to 2 gallons of water is effective in reducing the 

 loss due to this disease. The spraying should begin just as 

 the buds are opening and continued at intervals of two weeks 

 until seven or eight sprays have been given. 



INSECTS OF THE BUSH FRUITS. 



Currant Worms. — The worms that are found eating the 

 foliage of the currants and the gooseberries include several 

 species. The native species as well as the imported worms 

 are found preying upon these plants. The injury due to 

 these insects is somewhat distinct for the various species, 



