1857.] The Mildew and the Rot in the Grape. 501 



been formed, its tissues being rendered soft and succulent, under 

 such circumstances favor the attacliraent and rapid development of 

 the spores or germs of the fungi which must be regarded as the im- 

 mediate cause of the destruction of the grape crop in this country. 

 The idea that has been suggested, that fungi never grow upon 

 healthy vegetable tissues, and that the grape has first become diseased 

 before it makes its appearance, is certainly a mistake, for the grapes 

 attacked by the mildew and rot are always those of the most healthy 

 and vigorous growth In certain localities exposed to a dry and free 

 circulation of air, the grape often escapes in seasons of the most 

 unfavorable character. The mildew which always makes its appear- 

 ance during warm rainy and foggy weather is often arrested by a 

 single dry and sunny day. The rot also is always checked by clear 

 and dry weather, but not always entirely arrested as it sometimes 

 goes on gradually through the clusters till the period of ripening. 



Having thus pointed out what is believed to be the true causes 

 and character of those maladies which have proved most destructive 

 to the grape crop, there is much reason to hope that some remedy 

 will yet be discovered to prevent if not entirely arrest its ravages. 

 Although the elements are not under our control, and we can not 

 stay the rains and the fogs, yet it is possible we may prevent the 

 growth of fungi upon our grapes, upon the same principles that the 

 fermenting fujigi may be prevented from growing in a cask of wine 

 by the use of sulphur and its compounds. 



It is well known that sulphur and the alkalies are obnoxious to 

 most cryptogamous plants, and especially the fungi. In graperies 

 and green-houses the use of sulphur has been found to check the 

 ravages of mildew, and it is reported that in France the present season 

 immense quantities of it have been distributed in the departments, 

 and scattered among the vines, with what success has not been ascer- 

 tained, although it is said, the grape crop is much better than in sev- 

 eral previous years. A single instance has been reported in this 

 vicinity, that of Wm. Orange, Esq., containing some two acres, 

 wherein a mixture of Sulphur and Lime, in boiling water, and prop- 

 erly diluted had been syringed upon the vines and fruit after the 

 appearance of mildew, and it was believed had almost entirely pre- 

 served it from the rot, which destroyed other vineyards in the im- 

 mediate neighborhood, the present season. Mr. Hodge also reports 

 having used dry sulphur, by dusting it upon the vines and fruit, 



