230 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



July, 



Fungus Diseases in Plants.— Their 

 Treatment. 



In Circular No. .5 of the Botanical Division 

 of the Department of Agriculture. Prof. 

 Scribner gives the following information: 



The diseases in plants caused l>y fungi are 

 simply the effects produced by other plants 

 of parasitic habits, and we must keep the 

 two— the parasite and the plant attacked— 

 distinct in oiu- minds in our efforts to pro- 

 tect the one from the other. 



For some of these so-called diseases there 

 is no remedy but the knife or the complete 

 destruction of the infested plant. It is im- 

 portant to understand the cases of this char- 

 acter, not only that we may avoid wasting 

 time and money in vain efforts to treat 

 them otherwise, but in order that 

 prompt action may be taken and 

 sources of infection be quickly 

 destroyed, for all fungus diseases 

 may be regarded as infectious. 

 Those remedies or preventives 

 which have apparently yielded 

 positive results are here enum- 

 erated together with directions 

 for their preparation, etc. 



Fungi living within the tissues 

 of the host must be prevented from 

 gaining an entrance to these tis- 

 sues; fungi which live upon the 

 surface of plants or having their 

 bodies soon exposed through the 

 breaking up of the epidermis, 

 like the Apple scab fungus or the 

 fungus of bird's-eye rot of Grapes, 

 may be treated for cure. 



Destructive treatments are 

 available between the periods of 

 vegetation (winter season), and 

 consist in destroying all infec- 

 tious material and in washing the 

 plants to be protected with strong 

 caustic solutions, e. g., solutions 

 of sulphate of iron or copper and 

 sulphuric acid. 



During the growing season the 

 strength of the solutions used is 

 governed by the power of the 

 green plant tissues to resist their 

 action. In the early part of the season while 

 the shoots and leaves are yet tender, weaker 

 solutions than those which may safely be 

 applied later in the season, must be em- 

 ployed. Sulphur alone, applied when the 

 weather is very hot and the sun bright, may 

 cause a burning of the foliage. The same 

 is true of sulphatine and also of eau celeste. 



Avoid making the applications excessive; 

 do not drench the plants with the fluids nor 

 plaster them with the powders. With a 

 suitable spraying apparatus, which projects 

 a fine, mist-like spray, merely wet the plant 

 surfaces, and employ bellows which will 

 discharge the powder evenly and in such a 

 manner that the plants may be enveloped 

 in a cloud of dust, which, settling upon all 

 parts, becomes just perceptible. 



For small plantations and general vine- 

 yard use, the knap-sack form of sprayer, 

 having the reservoir and pump combined, 

 to be carried on the back of the operator, 

 is the best. For spraying fruit trees more 

 powerful appliances are reciuired. 



Nixon's Climax nozzle is excellent for 

 spraying clear liquids, but its use demands 

 considerable power in the pumps. 



The Vermorel modification of the eddy- 

 chamber or cyclone nozzle is a most excel- 

 lent pattern for both clear and pasty or thick 

 liquids. The degorger combined with it 

 renders the spraying of the latter possible. 



LIQUIDS. 



Siiiiph' !iii}iiti<»i of Saliihutc of Coi^iicr.— 

 For treatment of do\vny mildew and oidium 

 of the vine. For treatment of downy mil- 

 dew and black rot of the Grape. 



Dissolve 1 pound of pure sulphate of copper in 

 ;!5 gallons of water. 



Simple Solution of Stilphate of Copper.— 

 For soaking seeds previous to sowing to 

 destroy the spores of smuts. 



Solution in water, .5 to 8 pounds to 10 gallons. 



Copper Mixture of Oiiondc, Bordeaux 

 Mixture.— ¥ov treatment of mildew. For 

 downy mildew and black-rot of the Grape. 

 For blight and rot of the Tomato and Potato. 



Original formula.— Dissolve 16 pounds of sul- 

 phate of copper in 22 gallons of water, in another 

 vessel slake 30 pounds of lime in B gallons of 

 water. When the latter mixture has cooled it is 

 slowly poured into the copper solution, care be- 

 ing taken U> mix the fluids thoroughly by con- 

 slant stirring. It is well to have this compound 

 prepared some days before it is required for use. 

 It should be well stirred before applymg. A solu- 

 tion containing the ingredients in the following 



Knapsack Apparatus wtth Bellows, for Powders used in the Vineyard.^ 

 of France. 



proportions has been recommended for general 

 use: Sulphate of Copper, 4 pounds; lime, 4 

 pounds; water, 12 gallons. The copper is dis- 

 solved in 16 gallons of water, while the lime is 

 slaked in 6 gallons. When cool the solutions are 

 mixed as described above. 



Emi Celeste, Audoynavd Proccss.-For 

 downy mildew. For treatment of downy 

 mildew and black-rot of the Grape. For 

 treatment of mildew and anthracnose. For 

 blight and rot of the Tomato and Potato. 

 For Apple scab. 



Dissolve 1 pound of sulphate of copper in 2 

 gallons of hot water; when completely dissolved 

 and the water has cooled, add IH pints of com- 

 mercial ammonia (strength 22 deg. Baume); when 

 ready to use dilute to 22 gallons. The concen- 

 trated liquid should be kept in a keg or some 

 wooden, earthen or glass vessel. 



Modified Formula.- Sulphate of copiier, 2 

 pounds; carbonate of soda, 2)^ pounds; ammonia 

 (22 deg. Baume), 1J4 pints; water, 22 gallons. 



Dissolve the sulphate of copix-r in two gallons 

 of hot water, in another vessel dissolve the car- 

 bonate of soda in a similar manner; mix the two 

 solutions, and when all chemical reaction has 

 ceased add the ammonia; dilute to 22 gallons. 



Solution of Ammoniiical Cnrbonatc of 

 Copper.— For peronospora of the vine. 



Prepared as follows: Into a vessel having a 

 capacity of two quarts or more pour one quart 

 of ammonia (strength 32 deg. Baume), add 3 

 ounces carbonate of copper, stir rapidly for a 

 raonuMit and the carbonate of copper will dissolve 

 in the ammonia, forming a very clear liiiuid. 

 The concentrated liquid thus prepared may be 

 kept indefinitely. For use dilute to 22 gallons. 

 Snlphote of Iron. — For anthracnose. 



Simple solution in water 4 to S pounds to the 

 gallon, to be used only as a wash. 



Siiliihide of Poto.ssium, Liver of S'llphnr. 

 — For mildew in greenhouses. For n.'Idew 

 on Roses. For oidium and eriuose of the 



vine. For Orange leaf scab. For Celery 

 leaf blight. For Pear and Apple scab. 

 Solution in water, }4 to 1 ounce to the gallon. 

 Solution of Hyposulphite of Soda. — For 

 Apple scab. For Celery leaf blight. For 

 Orange leaf scab. 



Simple solution of 1 pound of the soda in 10 

 gallons of water. Must be used at once. 



Liquid Grison. Ea u Orison.— Foi mildew 

 on Grape vines. For powdery mildew. 



Prepared by boiling three pounds each of 

 flowers of sulphur and Ume in 6 gallons of water 

 until reduced to 2 gallons, when settled pour off 

 the cleai- liquid and bottle it. When used, mix 1 

 part of the clear liquid in 100 parts of water. 



Miik of Lime.— For peronospora of the 

 vine. For anthracnose. 

 Simple solution in water, 2 to 6 parts Ume to 

 100 parts water. 



' Phenic Acid. Carbolic Acid. 

 — For powdery mildew of the vine. 

 Solution In water one-half pint to 

 10 gallons. 



POWDERS. 



Sulphur.— FoT Grape mildew. 



For powdery mildew of the vine. 



Sulphur and Lime. — For treats 



ment of anthracnose during the 



growing season. 



A mixture of equal weights, sul- 

 phur and lime. 



Blifjht Powder and Sulphur.— 

 For simultaneous treatment of 

 oidium and the downy mildew. 

 For downy mildew of the vine. 

 For Tomato and Potato blight 

 and rot. 



Prepared by thoroughly mixing 

 from 3 to 8 pounds of anhydrous 

 sulphate of copper with 90 to 100 parte 

 of flowers of sulphur. 



Sulphatine, the Estcve Process. 

 —For the treatment of mildew. 

 For the treatment of downy mil- 

 dew and black-rot of the Grape. 

 For the treatment of the Tomato 

 and Potato for blight and rot. 



Mix 2 pounds of anhydrous sulphate 

 of copper with 20 pounds of flowers of 

 sulphur and 2 pounds of air-slaked 

 lime. The proportions may be varied. 

 SkawinskVs Poivder.—For sim- 

 ultaneous treatment of oidium and downy 

 mildew of the vine. For treatment of 

 mildew. 



Mix 22 pounds of finely-powdered sulphate of 

 copper with 3H pounds of soot or alluvial earth 

 and 165 pounds of coal dust. 



Sulfosteatite or Cuprique Steatite.— For 

 the treatment of mildew (Peronospora). 



An exceedingly fine bluish powder composed 

 of steatite, or talc, and sulphate of copper, the 

 proportion of the latter substance amounting to 

 about 10 per cent. Very easily applied; this is 

 considered the most adherent of all the powders 

 used for these purposes. 



David's Poudcr.— For downy mildew and 

 black-rot of the Grape. For mildew and 

 anthracnose. 



Dissolve 4 pounds of sulphate of copper in the 

 least possible amount of hot water, and slake 16 

 pounds of lime with the smallest quantity of 

 water required. When the copper solution and 

 slaked lime are completely cooled mi.x them to- 

 gether thoroughly; let the compound dry in the 

 sun, crush and sift. Ajiply with a sulphuring 

 bellows of some description furnished with an 

 outside receptacle for containing the powder. 

 The copper coming in contact with the disease 

 will very soon destroy it. 



Podcehnrd's Powder.— For the downy 

 mildew of the vine. For the treatment of 

 mildew and anthracnose. 



Air-slaked lime, 22.5 pounds; sulphate of cop- 

 per, 4!) pounds; flowers of sulphur, 20 pounds; 

 ashes, .30 pounds. 



Dissolve the sulphate of copper in the water; 

 when thoroughly dissolved pour the solution 

 upon the Ume, which is surrounded by the ashes 

 to keep the liquid from spreading; after twenty- 

 four lioui-s add the sulphur, thoroughly mix the 

 compound, ashes and all, and when dry sift 

 through a sieve with meshes of fine-eighth of one 

 inch. This preparation may be made several 

 months before It is required for use. 



