90 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



who argued spraying was useless until dry weather had set iu, because 

 " the rain would wash away all rot and mildew from the fruit." Just 

 such mistakes as these are to blame for all failures in spraying grape- 

 vines, for wherever fruit and foliage are covered with a copper solu- 

 tion, the germination of the spores or seeds of the fungi causing rot 

 and mildew is impossible. But just as impossible it is for any spray to 

 be of the least benefit, if applied after this germination has taken 

 place. When by naked eye we can discover the least trace of mildew 

 or rot, it proves that we should have commenced spraying at least ten 

 days before. The way to prepare and apply the sprays is fully and 

 ably described in the bulletins published and distributed freely by our 

 National Department of Agriculture. 



Bordeaux mixture and ammoniacal solution of carbonate of copper 

 are now almost exclusively used. For the last two years I have treated 

 about eight acres of vines with one and eight acres with the other 

 solution, and both with equally good success. 1 use a Eureka knap- 

 sack sprayer with Vermorel nozzle. In various parts of my vineyards 

 I dig holes to collect rain-water, and at these holes fill the knapsack^ 

 adding the needed proportion of ammonia solution or concentrated 

 Bordeaux mixture. Thus, water-carrying is reduced to a minimum. A. 

 Bordeaux mixture of 1| lbs. bluestone to 22 gallons of water is just 

 as effective as the stronger solution formerly used. This summer I 

 allowed the Bordeaux mixture to settle, using only the clear liquid for 

 spraying. This avoids clogging of the nozzle, makes spraying easier 

 and keeps the fruit clean, without impairing the effectiveness of the 

 spray. To the sediment, water may be added again, and the bluish 

 whitewash used for sprinkling strawberries, melons, potatoes, toma> 

 toes, etc. 



Finally, I claim one more benefit for spraying: it greatly improves 

 the hardiness of our vines. Ability to resist low temperature .mostly 

 depends on the perfect ripening of the wood. The fruit, canes and 

 buds can only ripen while the foliage is sound. Well-sprayed vines 

 keep their leaves perfect till kilh;d by a hard frost, and thus reach the 

 highest possible degree of hardiness. 



On the 19th of last January the thermometer at the United States 

 fish hatchery at Neosho fell to 22° below zero. This was sufficient to 

 kill nearly all the fruit-buds on unsprayed Norton or Oynthiana vines, 

 while all those that had been well sprayed the summer before brought 

 a fine crop. I mention the Norton because it is, perhaps, less affected 

 by mildew than any other vine. Varieties subject to mildew show still 

 more clearly the benefit of spraying. European hybrids like Triumph^ 

 Campbell, Brilliant, Goethe, Carman, and many others, produced fine 



