THE CURRANT BUD-MITE, OR CURRANT GALL-MITE. 301 
the time for the applications : either cahn dull weather was chosen if the 
dressings were appUed in the day time, or the work was done in the 
evening. The object being to give every substance the opportunity to 
exert its fullest influence, every mixture or solution was prepared fresh 
for each application, and in most cases where it was practicable the 
bushes were twice sprayed or dressed to ensure no part being missed. 
From observations extending over many years, in which it had become 
evident that some varieties of the Black Currant were more badly and 
frequently attacked than others, I had thought that it might be possible 
to secure a race that would be exempt from attack. For ten years I had 
a fine selection of the Old Black growing in a garden surrounded by 
other gardens where the Bud Mite was well known, yet these plants were 
never attacked. In 1895 I obtained cuttings from these, which were 
rooted at the Woburn Experimental Fruit Farm, and until the present 
year they have remained quite free from attack ; but it must be admitted 
that they have an isolated position near a hedge, though they are in a 
line with the worst infested plants and in the direction of the prevailing 
south-west winds. It seemed probable that by going back to the earlier 
varieties, or perhaps crossing with some wild types, some good results 
might be secured. Whether that be so or not yet remains to be proved, 
but the raising of seedlings without artificial crossing has not proved 
satisfactory, a large proportion being infested in the second or third year. 
There is also the possibility that grafting on some suitable stock 
might produce an alteration in the character of the plant ; but it is 
doubtful if that could be carried out on a large scale with profit, even if 
it proved effectual against the enemy. 
However, there is plenty of room for further experiments and extended 
observations, and it is only by such means that the difficulty will be over- 
come. At present the most promising method seems to be the use of 
cyanide of potassium gas, but if the employment of liquids on plants 
out of doors to serve as insect destroyers is fraught with many difficulties, 
the use of gas for the same purpose is still more uncertain. The hydro- 
cyanic acid gas is undoubtedly a most destructive agent, but to ensure its 
surrounding the buds sufficiently closely to penetrate to the whole of the 
mites and their eggs is not an easy matter. Still it deserves further trial. 
The Rev. W. Wilks : As Mr. Newstead has remarked that possibly 
hand-picking of the sw^ollen buds may be effective in small plantations, I 
should like to add my experience to the general store. In the late autumn 
of 1896 I planted twenty-four small bushes, and having already heard of 
this horrible mite I examined all the little plants as they were put 'into 
the ground and found two swollen buds, which I picked oft* and threw 
in the fire. The next year, 1897, though I searched diligently (but not 
microscopically) I could not find one single swollen bud, and I thought 
and hoped I should be free from the pest. Alack ! in 1898 there were a 
great number of swollen buds. That none should escape, I myself went 
carefully three times over all the bushes, removing every bud that showed 
any sign of rotundity. The result was distinctly encouraging, for in 1899, 
search as I would, I only found three swollen buds, and again I hoped. 
Alack, alack ! this autumn (1900) it already looks as if almost every bud 
on every bush would be full of mites— full to bursting— and I have now 
