GOOSEBERRY AND CURRANT SAWFLY. 
G5 
with them, so that strong measures had to he resorted to. Quicklime 
was tried, hut hellebore, although the more dangerous remedy, proved 
the most effectual; but we think it a mistake to dust the bushes, as it 
was noticed after the operation that a great number escaped, which 
would not have been the case if the hellebore had been infused in hot 
water, and applied to the bushes by means of the common watering- 
pot.” 
Nematus ribesii. 
Gooseberry Sawfly, caterpillar, and earth-cocoon. 
Mr. James Kay, Rothesay, remarks that the Gooseberry Sawfly 
caterpillar appeared very slightly this year. He notes having given a 
watering of paraffin early in the spring, to the stems of the bushes 
and tho ground beneath them. 
Caterpillars are noticed by Mr. McDonald as unusually numerous 
at Balfour Castle Gardens, Orkney, N. B., upon Red and White 
Currants and Gooseberry bushes. Dusting with hellebore powder 
when the bushes are wet is noted as a speedy remedy. 
Mr. W. Ward, writing from the Gardens, Stoke Edith, Hereford, 
mentions that in the spring of the present year (1882) he watched 
very closely for the first appearance of the Gooseberry Sawfly 
caterpillar, and found four trees suddenly attacked by this “pest.” 
The four trees were immediately well syringed and shaken, the 
caterpillars dropping on to the soil, where they were treated with 
burning hot lime. All the other Gooseberry and Currant trees were 
dusted with hot lime and with soot, and there was no further trouble 
with caterpillars and a plentiful crop of Gooseberries and Currants. 
After the trees were cleared the soil was covered with the same 
materials—hot lime and soot. 
Mr. Taylor adds a very useful hint as to a good way of mixing 
paraffin with water. He says—“ The only safe method of applying 
this is with the syringe ; when the paraffin and water are mixed, 
