WHITE ROT IN GRAPE VINES. 565 



could hope for under the circumstances. Having tried the bi- 

 sulphide of carbon in a quantity that was within reasonable cost, I 

 resorted to the application of ferrous sulphate in the next treatment. 

 Thus in the winter 1908 I applied 8 ounces of ferrous sulphate in 

 crystals per vine, followed by 16 ounces applied in the winter 

 1909. Having noted the beneficial results, 16 ounces more were 

 applied last winter, that is 2J lbs. in all per vine in three successive 

 winters. The ferrous sulphate is applied in the usual way by 

 digging a hole round the stem about 6" deep and 12" radius, at the 

 bottom of which the chemical is evenly scattered and then the soil 

 put back. 



The reason for my reading this paper is to invite your attention 

 to the very large proportion of ferrous sulphate applied to each vine. 

 About 38 ounces of ferrous sulphate in all were applied in three 

 consecutive winters to every vine within the worse infected blocks, 

 instead of the proportion usually suggested of one handful of either 

 copper or ferrous sulphate for two successive seasons, which would 

 amount to 7 or 8 ounces in all, with which, however, the cure is not 

 guaranteed. 



The reason for my preferring the ferrous sulphate to the copper 

 sulphate is, I think, a very good one in view of the fact that the 

 price of the latter is four or five times greater. 



An examination of all the vines, which is made every year at 

 pruning time, showed last winter that hardly any trace of the disease 

 was evident, which, when present, is plainly seen in the shape of 

 whitish streaks or patches on the stem round or a few inches below 

 the collar. Furthermore, during last \\ inter, the ploughing and sub- 

 soiling of the whole vineyard commenced in the previous winter 

 months was completed, and during the operation a few vine roots 

 here and there were brought to the surface, and on being examined 

 were found to be absolutely clean and healthy. Two vines, however, 

 in the whole vineyard of full grown ones were the exception. In 

 February, 1909, I noticed a Tokay vine giafted on the Mourvedre 

 X Rupestris No. 1202, and another grafted on the Rupestris Martin ; 

 they were in the same row and about 40 yards apart. The foliage 

 of both was quite yellow and the growth poor. An examination 

 of the stem 5" to 6" below the ground showed that the " pourridie " 

 had a hold of the two plants. There and then I daubed that part 

 of the stem with a solution made up with 10 per cent, in weight 

 of sulphuric acid and 50 per cent, of ferrous sulphate. The effects 

 were not immediate ; we were in February, and there were but seven 

 or eight weeks left of the vegetative and assimilative period, but 

 on the 30th November last year, on the occasion of a visit from 

 the Albury Vine and Fruitgrowers' Association, these two vines 

 were as vigorous and healthy as any in the vineyard. The Tokay 

 grafted on the Moiirvedre x Rupestris could be shown to the visiting 

 party, the other vine grafted on the Rupestris Martin could not, 

 because the superintendent, having forgotten to put a mark on the 



