FhjsioJogical Peculiarities of the Vine Disease. 79 



and at last decays. The young diseased grape likewise 

 becomes covered with a white dust, at first partially, and 

 then entirely, the green skin by degrees assuming a brown 

 colour, the grape increasing at same time in size, until 

 it as large as a currant, or a small cherry, when it 

 becomes black, and perishes together with its diseased stock. 

 In this decayed condition the grapes remain on the vine 

 till late in the autumn. Dr. Schacht was successful in 

 arresting the progress of the disease in its earlier stages, by 

 washing all parts of the plant with a solution consisting of 

 one part of glue to sixteen parts of water j an operation 

 which had been likewise performed with good effect in the 

 Royal hothouses of Sans-souci in Prussia. He rubbed the leaves 

 and grapes infected by the fungus with this solution, and, where 

 possible, dipped the grapes in it. The solution very soon 

 dried, and gave the grapes and leaves a glossy appearance. 

 All that had once been operated upon in this way re- 

 mained in a healthy condition, and even those affected by the 

 fungus recovered beneath the crust, the operation thus seeming 

 to afford a protection against the fungus. The practice of 

 strewing the plant over with powdered sulphur, which was 

 so much lauded, seems to be of little use. At Teneriffe, Dr. 

 Schacht found the fungus widely spread, notwithstanding the 

 application of sulphur. Keeping the grape close upon the 

 ground is also recommended as a protection against the 

 disease, having proved very successful in the south. 



The pecuniary loss sustained since the first appearance 



