44 
GOOSEBERRY. 
At Watten, Caithness, Gooseberry Sawfly is noted by Mr. G 
Brown as having made its appearance in a good many localities. He 
mentions, as before, “that the principal cure used is hellebore, either 
infused in water and laid on the bushes by means of a common 
whitewash-brush, or dusted in the form of powder on the leafage ; but 
the latter method is of no use if heavy rains follow, as it washes the 
tree clean of the powder before the caterpillar can get enough to 
annoy it. 
“ Year after year these attacks occur, and nothing in the shape of 
prevention is ever attempted; dressing with quick-lime, and clearing 
away the earth beneath the bushes , seems to be the best and surest 
measure.” 
Mr. T. Boyd mentions that at Callendar Park Gardens, Falkirk, he 
is now always free from Gooseberry caterpillar. He mentions :—“ I 
dress over all my Gooseberry ground with gas-lime in early spring 
before forking over the soil, and have not seen one of these caterpillars 
for three years.” 
Mr. T. Hart, of Park Farm, Kingsnorth, Kent, writes as follows 
regarding the use of gas-lime to check Gooseberry grub:—“In a 
previous communication I believe I expressed doubts as to benefit 
derived from gas-lime. I must now correct that, for I am now satisfied 
that I have benefitted by the application of gas-lime between my 
bushes. Grubs there certainly have been, but, whilst they have almost 
stripped other bushes of their leaves, those on the dressed ground are 
little the worse for the attack.” 
Mr. Arthur Ward, writing from The Gardens, Stoke Edith, notes: 
—“ Currants and Gooseberries out in the open garden have kept quite 
free from caterpillars (on the open ground) ; this I think was owing 
to the trees being dressed with lime early in spring. We have had 
very fine crops, and the flavour is excellent. Currant trees on the 
ivall , which were not dressed with lime, were attacked. The attack 
commenced at the bottom of the tree on the leaves nearest the 
ground.” 
At The Gardens, Coltness, Lanarkshire, Mr. Whitton notes there 
was a sharp attack of Sawfly caterpillars on Gooseberry bushes, but 
it did not last so long as usual, as the cold wet weather in July 
probably checked them. A dressing of hellebore was given during 
the rainy weather, which speedily checked them. 
