100 KEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



France and Italv with apparent success are here given, with the urgent request that 

 one or more of' them be tried, experimentally, and the results reported to this De- 

 partment, so that the one which proves to be the most efficacious and economical 

 may be made generally known. 

 Very respectfully, 



NORMAN J. COLMAN, 

 Commissioner of Agriculture. 



REMEDIES. 



For Peronospora. 



(1) Dissolve in 10 gallons of water 5 pounds of sulphate of copper. Soak the 

 stakes and whatever may be used to tie up the vines in this solution, and as soon as 

 the leaves are fully formed thoroughly spray them with the solution,* using for 

 this purpose any line spraying apparatus. The "cyclone nozzle," with fine aper- 

 ture, described and illustrated in '* Riley's report as Entomologist for 1883," is prob- 

 ably the best device for this purpose. Repeat the operation occasionally, say once 

 in two or three weeks. 



(2) Make a mixture of lime and water, as one ordinarily prepares whitewash. 

 Apply this in the same manner as No. 1, using a nozzle with a large aperture. After 

 rains the application should be renewed. 



(3) In 23 gallons of water dissolve 18 pounds of sulphate of copper; in another ves- 

 sel mix 34 pounds of lime with 6 or 7 gallons of water. Pour the lime mixture into 

 the copper solution; mix thoroughly, and the compound is ready for use.f Placed 

 in conveniently sized buckets, it may be carried through the rows of the vineyard 

 and applied to the leaves by the aid of brooms or wliisps made of slender twigs dipjjed 

 icito the compound and then switched right and left so as to spray the foliage. 



This remedy is very highly recommended. It is not necessary to entirely cover 

 the leaves. Care must be taken not to get any of the compound on the berries.:}: 



(4) The powder of Mr. Podechard. This powder contains the following ingredi- 

 ents, in the proportions given: 225 pounds of air-slaked lime, 45 pounds of sulphate 

 of copper, 20 pounds of sulphur {powdered)^ 30 pounds of ashes (unleached), and 15 

 gallons of water. 



These ingredients are compounded as follows : Dissolve the sulphate of copper in 

 the water ; when thoroughly dissolved pour the solution upon the lime, which is 

 surrounded by the ashes to keep the liquor from spreading ; after twenty-four hours 

 add the sulphur, thoroughly mix the compound, ashes and all, and when dry sift 

 through a sieve with meshes of one-eighth of an mch. This preparation may be 

 made several months before it is requked for use. Its application is made simply 

 by dusting it upon the foliage of the vines after a heavy dew or rain with any spray- 

 ing or dusting device, that figured and described in the report of the Entomologist 

 for 1883 being well adapted to this purpose. The convenience of application renders 

 this powder especially well suited for use in the larger vineyards. 



(5) The ordinary milk-kerosene emulsion (see Report of U. S. Entomologist, 1884, 

 p. 331), with the addition of from 2 to 5 per cent, of carbolic acid and the same per- 

 centage of glycerine, and then diluted in 20 to 50 parts of water to 1 of the emulsion. 

 Spray on the under surface of the leaves by means of a cyclone nozzle of small 

 aperture. This is known in France, where its use has been attended with satisfac- 

 tory results, as the " Riley process," having first been proposed by Dr. C. V, Riley. 



For Black-Rot. 



The free application of the sulphate of copper and lime appears not only to act as a 

 preventive against Mildew, but Black-Rot also. As a further protection against the 

 latter disease it is recommended that Podechard's powder be scattered over the 

 grounds in the vineyard, especially where all the trimmings and fallen grapes and 

 leaves of the previous year have not been removed. 



Three thousand of these circulars were distributed, and I have rea- 

 son to believe that many made a trial of one or more of the remedies 

 proposed, but I regret to say that few responded to the request that 

 the results of these trials be reported to the Department. It is hoped 



* The solution for spraying the vines here given is too strong. One pound of sul- 

 phate of copper to 20 gallons of water is strong enough. 



■I- This is the copper mixture of Gironde, or Bordeaux mixture. 



X This precaution is uncalled for, except at the approach of the vintage. 



