86 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



DISEASES OF THE GRAPE. 

 PROF. T. J. BURRILL, .CHAMPAIGN". 



Professor Scribner, of Washington, D. C, has made special 

 studies during several years upon this subject, and he kindly con- 

 sented to prepare a paper for the Society. Professor Viala, of 

 France, came to the United States during the summer for the special 

 purpose of investigating the diseases of the grape in our country. It 

 so happened that these two men set out together to visit various 

 parts of the covintry, from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts, to be- 

 come better acquainted with the grape diseases in different latitudes 

 and longitudes. But this journey so delayed the former in his work 

 that he could not prepare the promised paper. I submit his letter: 



Prof. T. .J. Uukrill, 



My Dear Sir — My lonp: absence from the department during Septem- 

 ber, October and a part of November caused such an accumulation of work 

 in ray office that it has been practically impossible for me to meet outside 

 engagements. I regret very much my inability to comply with your re- 

 quest for a paper on grape-rot for your Society meeting, but the circum- 

 stances are as above stated. I have done the next best thing wliich 

 suggested itself to me, which is to send you a copy of the new edition of 

 Prof. Viala's treatise on "blnck-rot," of which I happen to possess a spare 

 copy, together with two communications of my own on "bitter-rot" and 

 " white-rot," published recently in Colmaii's Rural World. I also send with 

 this a copy of a communication just forwarded to the Botanical Gazette. 

 It may interest you. 



Experiments made this season conclusively demonstrate the efficacy of 

 the sulphate of copper compounds, particularly the Bordeaux Mixture, in 

 combating the downy mildew, and it appears evident also that, where the 

 applications were made sufficiently early, they have exercised a restraining 

 inliuence over black-rot. As soon as the first leaves are fully formed, be- 

 fore the black-rot manifests itself upon them, the application should begin 

 and be persisted in, if the weather is moist, until the period of danger to 

 the fruit is past. The length of time between ttie first and second applica- 

 tions should not exceed ten or twelve days. With the Veromel or the 

 Vigoroux spraying pumps, these frequent applications are practical even 

 in the largest vineyards. 



Simple solutions, of even one pound of sulphate of copper to twenty- 

 five gallons of water, have been found, in many instances, too strong, 

 burning the foliage. The same is true of eau celeste, prepared accord- 

 ing to published formulte. In both cases more water should be added 

 in treating grapes of the Labruska family. The best success has been 

 attained with the Bordeaux mixture, and its continued use is strongly 

 recommended. The inconvenience of application is overcome by the em- 

 ployment of pumps like those above named. 



"^ While regretting my inability to fulfill my fromise with you, I know 

 that the subject cannot be in better hands nor more ably treated than by 

 yourself. So, wishing you a pleasant and profitable meeting, 



I remain very truly yours, 



F. L. Scribner. 



The copy of Professor Viala's book referred to was received 

 and read with much interest, but this does not seem to be the place 

 for a review of its contents. It is a second edition, bearing the date 

 18S8, Paris and Montpellier, France. Of course, the text in French. 

 But little is given upon remedies. 



