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Mildew. Various fungi pass under the name of Mildew, and some 

 are widely different in appearance and effects to others, and as a 

 matter of course the same remedies cannot be generally employed. 

 The greatest trouble to fruit-growers is caused by two of these fungi, 

 which are peculiar to the Grape, and though they are quite distinct, 

 yet both are popularly known as " Vine Mildew," or " Vine MoukL" - 

 Different kinds of Mildew affect other fruits, more or less, and some- 

 times cause considerable injury. This class of fungi, as a rule, increase 

 with great rapidity, and one tree may soon affect others. They are also 

 readily spread by means of affected plants from one locality to another. 

 But in most cases, where mildew is troublesome, there are predisposing 

 causes. These causes, as in the case of Canker, are various, and may be 

 induced by anything that lessens the vital energy of the plants. Probable 

 causes are over-bearing, lack of nourishment, want of drainage and 

 severe drought. Starved fruit trees and soddened roots may be con- 

 sidered the chief predisposing causes, Remedies : In the first place, if 

 there are any likely predisposing causes, they must be promptly 

 removed, and the trees placed under more favourable conditions for 

 growth. The best specifics for most kinds of fungi are lime and 

 sulphur. These may be used separately, or blended in equal propor- 

 tions, and applied by dusting the affected plants. Another way of 

 applying these remedies is to take 1 Ib. of freshly-slaked lime, and the 

 same quantity of sulphur, adding six pints of water. Mix thoroughly 

 and boil over a brisk fire for ten minutes, taking care to stir all the 

 time. Allow the liquor to cool, and for each pint of the solution add 

 six gallons of water, and apply as a spray. Particular care must be 

 taken to deal with Mildew as soon as it makes its appearance, as all 

 kinds, if allowed to make much headway, are not easily driven away. 



Rust. Several species of fungi are known under the general term 

 " Rust," and they are distinguished by the addition of the name of the 

 plant they mostly affect. Various fruits are affected with their parti- 

 cular " Rusts," the most troublesome being one that appears on Peaches, 

 Almonds, Apricots, and Plums, commonly known as " Peach Rust." 

 When the fungus is present, the affected leaves become freckled with 

 yellow spots, and these sometimes unite so as to form large patches. 

 As a matter of course, the tissue of the leaves is injured, and they fall 

 to the ground. Sometimes the fruit is also affected by the fungus, to 

 its great detriment. Remedies : Sulphate of iron or green vitriol as a 

 spray. Bluestone and lime as a spray. 



Sooty Blight. This fungus is often found upon evergreens, and more 

 particularly on the leaves of trees of the Citrus family. A good many 

 people suppose that this black matter is caused by ants, but such is not 

 the case. Ants are really useful scavengers to the trees, as they assist 

 in some measure in keeping down other small insects. In reality the 

 soot fungus is mainly caused by the Scale insects, as it is developed on 

 their sugary secretions. It also makes its appearance upon the secre- 

 tions left by Aphides. Remedies : Get rid of the insects mentioned, 

 and the Sooty Blight will necessarily disappear. Its disappearance will 

 also be facilitated by dusting powdered lime over the trees. 



