1909.] American Gooseberry Mildew. 123 



by working among unsprayed bushes than to delay for a day 

 the work of destroying diseased twigs. 



It must be clearly understood, however, that the above 

 advice refers to slight outbreaks affecting a few bushes 

 which could be dealt with single-handed by a careful man. 

 It would be most unsafe to turn a number of labourers into 

 an affected plantation to root up and burn bushes suffering 

 from disease in the summer stage until the plantation has 

 been disinfected by spraying. 



As soon as the fruit-grower has dealt with the diseased 

 bushes, he should spray the whole of his gooseberries and 

 currants with liver of sulphur, and repeat the dressing in a 

 week. The spray for general use should be made up of 1 lb. 

 liver of sulphur to 32 gallons of water. A stronger spray, 

 say 1 lb. liver of sulphur to 24 gallons of water, may safely 

 be used after July. It has been found that the spray wets 

 the mildew and sticks better if soft soap is added to the wash 

 at the rate of 1-2 lb. for 32 gallons of water. 



Treatment of Diseased Plantation. — By adopting the line 

 of treatment indicated above, the chances of stamping out 

 the disease are good ; but if from neglect or any other cause 

 a garden has become generally infected with disease, a 

 different procedure will be required. 



It is impossible to say what is the best course to adopt in 

 any particular garden, for once the disease has become wide- 

 spread the treatment, to be successful, must vary according 

 to the time of year, the weather, and the condition of the 

 bushes. In general terms, however, it may be said that the 

 grower's object must be to check the spread of the disease 

 as much as is practicable while it is in its summer stage, and 

 to cure it when it has passed into the winter stage. For 

 advice in dealing with bad outbreaks the grower is recom- 

 mended to consult one of the Inspectors of the Board or of 

 the Local Authority. Inspectors are always glad to assist 

 growers. 



Two methods may be adopted in treating the summer 

 stage : (1) spraying, and (2) removal of the diseased tips. 

 The first remedy is the best in the early part of the season, 

 up to about the end of July, while the second is the more 

 effective from the middle of August onwards. 



