TREATMENTS OF BLIGHTS AND MILDEWS 309 



countries with humid summer heat, and some very destructive gar- 

 den 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 some years 

 ago. This fact is due to the demonstration of the efficacy of solu- 

 tions 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 Bordeau 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. 



This preparation is much shorter in its protective effect than 

 when the copper is progressively set free from the lime as in the 

 Bordeaux mixtures. 



Obviously these copper compounds cannot be applied to foliage 

 which is the edible part of the vegetable except during the early 

 period of its growth. 



Some fungi are quite readily checked by the use of dry sulphur, 

 but when this is not effective, the copper compounds will be found 

 satisfactory. 



In many cases the attacks of fungi may be avoided by keeping 

 the plants growing thriftily, or by choosing varieties which are not 

 affected by the diseases to which other varieties succumb. Wher- 

 ever this course is open to the gardener, it will be found more satis- 

 factory than the application of remedies. 



DESTRUCTIVE ANIMALS AND BIRDS. 



Against the larger marauders from the forest, the field or the 

 barnyard, the farm garden must be protected by an adequate fence 

 close enough to exclude fowls and jack-rabbits. For the latter pur- 

 pose closely set strands of barbed wire are the cheapest material. 

 The bottom wire must be set low enough to prevent entrance by 

 scratching under. Even when a neater fence is made of wire net- 



