82 An7ials of Hoi'tiailhwe . 



Perret of France, which consists in adding to a 2 per cent, mix- 

 ture of copper sulphate and sodium carbonate in the propor- 

 tion of one to three, one-twentieth of a part of cheap molasses. 

 Should this fungicide prove to be what it promises, it will 

 supersede the old and well known Bordeaux mixture of copper 

 sulphate and lime, and greatl}^ reduce the cost of the treatment 

 of plant maladies. 



''But if an index of progress is looked for only in the sci- 

 entific facts discovered, or the application of these facts to the 

 needs of the fruit grower or gardener, a misconception of the 

 state of affairs may occur. Ten years ago few would have 

 believed that any state would legislate against such things as 

 pear blight, peach yellows or black-rot of the grape, yet in 

 1890 New Jersey framed a law which provides for the destruc- 

 tion of all plants affected by new diseases which are considered 

 dangerous to the agriculture and horticulture of the state, and 

 for the reimbursement of the owner from the state treasury. 



''A project is now on foot to connect in an international 

 association all economic vegetable pathologists, or students 

 of plant diseases. Should such a plan be consummated nothing 

 but good can result, as it will furnish the long looked for inter- 

 communication betw^een American and European investigators 

 which is so much needed. 



"In conclusion, it may be said that one of the most promis- 

 ing indications of future good to be accomplished by the inves- 

 tigations of plant diseases is the constantly increasing interest 

 manifested in the work by practical men. Everywhere there 

 is a demand for more light on such matters and it is only a 

 question of time when this subject will be as thoroughly under- 

 stood as ordinary matters connected with the growing of 

 crops." 



The treatment of grape mildew at the School of Agriculture 

 at Montpellier, France, in 1890, is told by George Bencker in 

 Le Progres Agricole: 



"The national school of agriculture at Montpellier has this 

 year continued its experiments with the various preparations 

 used to prevent mildew on the grape. The materials were 

 applied to two plats of vineyard which had been used during 

 preceding years for experimentation ; one plat received 

 liquid treatment, the other was treated with powders. The 

 plats were divided into squares for the use of the various pre- 



