GARDEN FUNGI 317 



Whenever insects do not yield to the treatments proposed, or 

 whenever the use of these remedies does not seem to be practicable, 

 it is well for the grower to apply to Prof. C. W. Woodworth, Uni- 

 versity of California, Berkeley, sending a specimen of the insect 

 and of its work if possible. An answer embodying the latest infor- 

 mation on the subject, will be made without cost to the applicant. 

 Useful descriptive publications can also be sent in many cases, and 

 as information is thus available, it is not necessary to attempt de- 

 tailed discussion in this connection. 



INJURIOUS FUNGI. 



Molds, mildews and blights seem to be ever on the alert to 

 attack garden plants whenever suitable conditions prevail. Fortu- 

 nately, California is much less subject to these intrusions than coun- 

 tries with humid summer heat, and some very destructive garden 

 fungi either do not occur here or occasion very little trouble. Still 

 it is well for the gardener to know that the arrest of fungous in- 

 vasion is a very much simpler proposition than it was a few years 

 ago. This fact is due to the recent demonstration of the efficacy 

 of solutions of copper salts. The most effective preparation is 

 known as the Bordeaux mixture, which is prepared as follows : 



Dissolve one-half pound copper sulphate (bluestone) in two and one- 

 half gallons of water in a wooden pail, slake one-half pound fresh lime in 

 one-half gallon of hot water, stirring and rubbing till completely slaked ; 

 when the lime is cool put the bluestone solution into a five-gallon oil can, 

 and add the lime by allowing it to run through a coarse cloth' strained to 

 remove lumps or dirt. Stir in water enough to fill the can and it is ready 

 for use. The mixture should not stand in a metal vessel. 



This makes a light blue whitewash which will be effective as it 

 slowly diffuses its components over the leaf surface. In our dry 

 summer it remains operative for a long time. It does, however, 

 make the plant unhandsome, and where a fungicide is desired which 

 does not discolor the leaves, the following may be substituted for 

 the Bordeaux mixture: 



Dissolve three-fourths ounce of copper sulphate (bluestone) in one quart 

 of warm water, and one ounce of salsoda (washing soda) in another quart 

 of warm water. When both are cool, mix them together and add five 

 ounces of washing ammonia. When the mixture is clear, after standing 

 long enough to accomplish that, add cold water to make five gallons. 



