New York Agricultural Experiment Station. 343 



attention to sanitary principles in the location, cultivation and 

 pruning of the i)lants and by spraying with fungicides. 



The location should be one that gives good air drainage as 

 well as good soil drainage. Low or flat lands, where dews and 

 rains do not readily evaporate, or places where the free circu- 

 lation of air is prevented by groves, hedges, high fences or other 

 obstructions should be avoided. Small gardens with high in- 

 closures, and low branched, crowded orchards, especially when 

 located on flat lands, furnish ideal conditions for the growth of 

 the mildew, because they lack good air drainage. 



It is best to continue frequent shallow cultivation till after the 

 fruit is gathered, keeping the ground perfectly free from weeds, 

 especially underneath the bushes, where they check the free cir- 

 culation of air around the plant. Prune back low, drooping 

 branches because they interfere with clean cultivation, and 

 their fruit is liable to become spattered with dirt during heavy 

 rains. After the first of August cease cultivating, so that the 

 new growth may become ripe and hard before winter. The 

 ground may be kept free from weeds by mulching, though culti- 

 vation is preferable. Coal ashes make a good mulch for cur- 

 rants or gooseberries. 



Spraying to prevent mildew should begin as soon as the buds 

 begin to unfold, using one ounce of potassium sulphide for every 

 two gallons of water. Repeat the applications at intervals of ten 

 days till the fruit is nearly ready to market. Should frequent 

 heavy rains occur spray more frequently. Be sure the spray 

 reaches all the foliage, especially on the inner and under parts 

 of the bush, which are usualh^ slighted. The poisons recom- 

 mended for killing the leaf-eating worms, or larv?e, may be com- 

 bined with the potassium sulphide solution and both may be ap- 

 plied at once. The use of Bordeaux mixture is objectionable, 

 because it is apt to stick to the fruit and injure its market value, 

 even though the application be made several weeks before the 

 crop is marketed. 



When Bordeaux mixture is used, the 1-11 formula is recom- 

 mended; that is, one pound of copper sulphate and two-thirds 

 as much fresh lime, are used to make eleven gallons of the mix- 



