1907.] The American Gooseberry Mildew 



45 



than was at first supposed, and in view of the increased danger 

 of infection which arises when the mildew passes into its summer 

 stage, the Board think it desirable to issue a further warning to 

 all fruit-growers, nurserymen, gardeners, and other growers of 

 gooseberries. 



No reports of the presence of the disease elsewhere than in 

 Worcestershire and Gloucestershire have been confirmed, but 

 as it is abundantly clear that the mildew has been present in 

 certain centres in these counties for three or four years, and has 

 spread to many adjoining gardens among which must be included 

 some nursery gardens, it is only too probable that it will be found 

 in other districts as the spring advances. All gooseberry growers 

 are therefore advised to watch the plants closely during the 

 summer months, especially those bushes which have been 

 recently bought, in order that the disease may be detected 

 and dealt with at the earliest possible moment. The evidence 

 that has been collected in Worcestershire shows that in most 

 cases it is only the young shoots that have been attacked, and 

 that generally, though not always, the disease has appeared 

 in low-lying damp situations. The attention of gooseberry 

 growers should therefore be directed chiefly to the damper places 

 and to the young wood. 



All gooseberry growers who have the least reason to suspect 

 infection are advised to spray their bushes with a solution of 

 liver of sulphur (potassium sulphide) from the time the leaves 

 open until the fruit is set. A solution of J oz. to ij gallons 

 of water is recommended for the first spraying, and the strength 

 should be increased to a solution of J oz. to 1 gallon of water at 

 the second spraying. In some climates it has been found that 

 spraying with ' oz. to the gallon of water has injured the leaves 

 of the gooseberry, (i rowers should therefore carefully note the 

 effects of the first spraying, and, if the leaves appear to have 

 suffered any injury from the weak solution, the stronger solution 

 should not be used. ( )n the other hand, if a spray of I oz. to 

 1 gallon does no harm, the grower mav resort to somewhat 

 stronger spra v-tluids. The spray should be applied .11 intervals 

 of fourteen to twenty days. 



It must be understood, however, that the liver of sulphur 

 spray is recommended .is .1 preventive, and that it cannot be 

 relied upon to produce a cure. Should my suspicious symptom- 



