MILDEWS, MOLDS AND BLIGHTS. Ill 



formation 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 avail- 

 able, it is not necessary to attempt detailed discussion 

 in this connection. 



INJURIOUS FUNGI. 



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

 alert to attack garden plants whenever suitable condi- 

 tions prevail. Fortunately, California is much less sub- 

 ject to these intrusions than countries 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 

 invasion is a very much simpler proposition than it was^ 

 a few years ago. This fact is due to the recent demon- \ 

 stration 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 effec- 

 tive as it slowly diffuses its components over the leaf sur- 

 face. 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 Bor- 

 deaux mixture: 



Dissolve three-fourths ounce of copper sulphate (blue- 

 stone,) in one quart of warm water, and one ounce of sal 

 soda (washing soda) in another quart of warm water. 



