.lo June, 1911-] 



Vine Diseases in France. 



397 



It, however, has but little effect on the spores, and should the !,ulphur 

 be washed off by rain re-infection may occur. 



Sulphur, though the oldest, is still the standard remedy. Its action 

 in destroying the fungus is undoubted, though its mode of action is not 

 quite clear — most probably it is through the fumes given off directly under 

 -the heat of the sun. In France three sulphurings are looked upon as 

 absolutely necessary. 



I St. In spring, when the vine .shoots are 2 or 3 inches long. 

 2nd. At blos.soming time. 

 3rd. A few wrecks before the grapes ripen. 

 In Southern France, these three sulphurings are usually sufficient, though 

 they have frequently to be supplemented by further applications. 



The cost of the three sulphurings, according to figures supplied by the 

 Manager of the Salains du Midi Company at Montpellier, amounts to six 

 shillings per acre, of which the cost of the sulphur represents five-eighths 

 -of the total. In most other part'? rif Fr:in<'f" the thrw ^tnndnrd sulphurings 

 are insufficient. They 

 have to be frequently re- 

 peated, thus raising the 

 cost of the treatment. 



The effects of sulphur 

 on the general vegetation 

 of the vines are \'ery 

 beneficial, apart from its 

 fungicide action, though 

 in what way this is 

 •caused is not clear. It 

 is compared to a tonic, 

 and many authorities con- 

 sider that, even if 

 Oidium did not exist, the 

 advantages accruing from 

 an application of sulphur 

 are sufficient to justify its 

 use. Sulphur has also a 

 marked influence on the 

 blos.soming of , the vine, counteracting the non- setting of fruit to which 

 some sorts are liable. 



In the past, in Victoria, it has bee.i considered necessary to only sulphur 

 vines in the earlv morning when the dew is on. This rule is no longer 

 adhered lo in France; in tact, the middle of the day is held to be the 

 most favourable time, except in very hot weather, when application in the 

 hot sun might lead to burning of the foliage. 



Machines for applying suli)hur have improved considt-rabl) of late. 

 The kna[)sack sulphurer of Vermorrl. and other makes, alread) known in 

 Australia, are a marked improvement on the old-fashioned l)ellows. Traction 

 macliincs, capable of treating a large area in a short space of time, have 

 recently been introduced, one of which is shown in the illustration. These 

 machines are now much u.sed in France in vines closely planted in the row 

 and in trellised vines, where the vegetation along the row is continuous, 

 so that there is no waste of sulphur. They work in a very satisfactory 

 manner. 



HORSE-DRIVEN SULPHURING MACHINE. 



