1857.] Cincinnati Horticultural Societ)j — Proceedings. 379 



third of the crop nearly ruined — in some portions the fruit is all 

 gone. His vineyard is on a pretty steep hill-side, with a southward 

 aspect and with a free exposure to the air. The vines are planted 

 in spaces of three feet by five. No mildew on the vines or foliage ; 

 it is confined to the berry. The lowest portion of his ground is worse 

 than the highest, and the intermediate part is much worse than the 

 lowest. 



Dr. M. stated he had examined the fungus plant, which we call 

 " mildew," under a microscopic lens with a power of about four 

 hundred multiplications, when the grape seemed covered as with a 

 forest of pines ; each berry bearing about five hundred of these 

 fungus trees, which to the naked eye appear like an impalpable 

 powder. This tree-growth is from a seed which from its germina- 

 tion to perfection, he had observed under the lens and found it to 

 require about twelve hours to complete its career, ripen its seeds for 

 a five hundred fold reproduction and perish. Dr. M. suggested that 

 the reason of its rife recurrence in damp weather is owing to the 

 fact that in dry weather the cuticle, or epidermis, enveloping the 

 grape becomes hardened to such a degree of firmness as to resist the 

 action of the mildew ; while in damp weather the delicacy of the 

 skin, then softened by the atmospheric moisture, seems to render it 

 subject to the deposit of the mildew-spores. 



In answer to a question by Mr. Kelly, Dr. M. stated that he did 

 not consider mildew as the primary cause of the grape rot, though 

 he could not speak of this as a positive assurance. In the case of 

 the mildew the berry afi'ected drops off and thus clusters are left 

 broken and imperfect. lie knew of no practical remedy but assured 

 members that if they would examine the mildew with the microscope 

 they would behold wonders. 



Mr. Kelly suggested the application of the hydrosulphite of 

 lime to the vines aftected by mildew, as was done frequently in 

 gardens and green houses. 



D. Warder thought it impracticable of application to large vine- 

 yards ; also, that from the rapidity of its development no timely 

 preparation was possible. 



To this Mr. Kelly replied that the French employed it exten- 

 sively, and that its application was more with a view to prevent its 

 increase than to prevent its advent. The cost was trifling, only 

 about $3 per acre, and the means of preparation simple, which he 

 gave, one part sulphur to two parts lime, with about two thou- 



