Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-06-05
firm. 6araen 4 aIollsthold.
crRRANTs ANp THEIR ENEMIEs.

For some years we have endeavored to
make the currant mere popular, as we con-
slider II a most healthful as well as easily
raised fruit. That there are obstacles to its
culture we are aware, and so there are to
that Of all fruits, and whoever is not willing
to take proper care Of his currants does not
deserve to have them.
The most common insects injurious to the
currant are the Borer and the Curra1t-worm.
Both the American and the European Cur
rant Borer trouble cur plants, the one the
larya of beetle, and the other that of a
moth but as they are practically the same in
their habits and effects, it is not necessary to
speak of them separately. The larva lives
unon the pith of the eurrant stem, and
the insects come out from the dead stalks in
their nerfect state late in May or early in
June. They lay their eggs upon the new
shoots. and the young brood, when hatched,
penetrate the stem and carry on their work Of
destruction. Where the bush is kept prop
srlv pruped no very extensive damage usually
results from the Borers, as the infested limbs
are discovered and removed at pruningi these
should be burned, for if thrown upon the
brush-heap the perfect insects will make their
way out and provide for continuance OF the
trouble.
The Currant worm, which is the larya of
an insect somewhat resembling the common
fiy, is the most destructive enemy of the cur
rant. The worms or slugs are small, keep
upon the under side of the leaf, and the bush
is often stripped Of foliage before their pres
ence is suspected. The worms, when they
attain their growth, enter the ground, under
20 their changes, and the flies appear to lay
eggs for new crop.
Powdered White Hellebore busted over
the bushes destroys the worms at once. A
light busting from dredging box is all that
is needed.
A correspondent in the Country Gentle
man suggests covering the ground around the
bushes with coal ashes to the depth of five or
six inches. The idea is that the coal ashes
present barrier to the exit Of the fly from
the ground in the spring. Concerning this,
leWalks and Talks" writes: ''Try the coal
ashes, but at the same time watch the bushes,
and as soon as you see the little, beadlike
eggs on the under side of the lower leaves,
crush them with the thumb and finger. The
flies come out of the ground and deposittheir
eggs on the first leaves they come to. On
neglected bushes there are generally a dozen
or more suckers round the bush. The eggs
will be found on these. Cut them all of, ex
cept one or two which may be needed to form
new wood. In this way you will destroy
hundreds of worms and benefit the bushes at
the same time. Remove all the useless wood
from the bush and place it in the sun or
burn it. You will have more and much finer
fruit. The work should be done early in the
spring"
The correspondent who complains that his
iruit prematurely ripens and is worthless,
WILL if he carefully examines the berries,
probably find within each minute maggot.
The only remedy We can suggest Is to gather
and destroy all such fruit before the insects
have time to mature and prepare for brood
the next year.-American Agriculturist.