Each year, in February, hoof and horn meal should be applied at the rate of about 3 oz. to the sq. yard. This is distributed over the straw and is allowed to wash in. On very light land, likely to be low in potash, wood ashes may be applied at lb. to the sq. yard, or a natural form of sulphate of potash at 2 oz. to the sq. yard. The potash dressing would only be necessary once every three or four years.
Capsid bugs puncture the leaves and shoots, causing the former to be spotted and the latter to be injured. In cases of very bad attack, the top leaves turn a yellowish hue. Prevent this trouble by spraying in February with a D.N.C. and omit the tar oil this season.
Big buds are caused by miniature mites which cause the fruiting buds to swell to a large size. They are thus easily recognizable. Spray when the majority of the leaves are the size of a two-shilling piece, dissolving 1 pint of lime sulphur in 14 pints of water.
It is better not to cultivate in between blackcurrant bushes. I had tried grassing down in contrast to strawing. The disadvantage of this system is that the grass has to be cut fourteen or fifteen times during the summer and autumn and this makes extra work.
If the stems of the blackcurrant bushes suddenly wilt, the blackcurrant shoot moth caterpillar must be suspected. A tunnel will be found in the centre of the shoot made by a small caterpillar. The only way to get rid of this pest is to cut all the branches down to within an inch of ground level, in the spring, and so to sacrifice the crop for one year.
These insects hate having to fly from bush to bush when they are planted at distances of 5 to 6 feet, and, in fact, they will not do so in windy weather. The `hedge' method, therefore, encourages better fertilization and thus heavier yields.
Capsid bugs puncture the leaves and shoots, causing the former to be spotted and the latter to be injured. In cases of very bad attack, the top leaves turn a yellowish hue. Prevent this trouble by spraying in February with a D.N.C. and omit the tar oil this season.
Big buds are caused by miniature mites which cause the fruiting buds to swell to a large size. They are thus easily recognizable. Spray when the majority of the leaves are the size of a two-shilling piece, dissolving 1 pint of lime sulphur in 14 pints of water.
It is better not to cultivate in between blackcurrant bushes. I had tried grassing down in contrast to strawing. The disadvantage of this system is that the grass has to be cut fourteen or fifteen times during the summer and autumn and this makes extra work.
If the stems of the blackcurrant bushes suddenly wilt, the blackcurrant shoot moth caterpillar must be suspected. A tunnel will be found in the centre of the shoot made by a small caterpillar. The only way to get rid of this pest is to cut all the branches down to within an inch of ground level, in the spring, and so to sacrifice the crop for one year.
These insects hate having to fly from bush to bush when they are planted at distances of 5 to 6 feet, and, in fact, they will not do so in windy weather. The `hedge' method, therefore, encourages better fertilization and thus heavier yields.
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A well drained, moisture retentive soil for fruit trees is needed for growing fruit trees in your garden; black currants respond well to heavy manuring, especially on a light soil.