Some Grape Troubles of Western New York. 443 



remains to be seen. The following is the method commonly 

 employed by the foreign vineyardists : 



Early in spring, just before the buds begin to swell, the arms 

 and canes, including the buds, are treated with a solution made 

 ^ ~ mlphate of iron (copperas), sulphuric acid, and water in the 

 t-^' )wing proportions : 



-^S Sulphate of iron, no pounds. 



^'" Sulphuric acid (commercial), i quart. 



Water (hot), 26 gallons. 



Care must be taken first to pour the acid upon the sulphate of 

 iron crystals, and only then the water may be added. Otherwise 

 there is danger of the water and acid being spattered when the 

 two come in contact. This solution should be used the day it is 

 made, for the iron sulphate will re-crystallize upon cooling if the 

 liquid is allowed to stand any length of time. 



Owing to the caustic properties of this solution it cannot be 

 applied with our common spray pumps. The method followed 

 in France is to tie a bundle of rags at one end of a stick and with 

 this swab the vines are carefully treated. All portions of the vine 

 that are covered turn black and in case the work has not been well 

 done another application is made, but only the light-colored por- 

 tions then receive attention. 



The principal objection to this remedy is its expense and this 

 will prove a serious drawback to the adoption of the method in 

 this country. The vines can scarcely be injured by the applica- 

 tion for I have used a similar solution which contained ten per 

 cent, of sulphuric acid upon swelling buds, to the injury of about 

 one-half of them. This remedy will be given a further trial and 

 reported upon. 



