55 



should be grubbed up and burned. This treatment, carried 

 out for a. few seasons, has proved more efficacious than 

 spraying. 



It must not be forgotten that the fungus is capable of 

 developing vigorously on dead parts of the bush. In nearly 

 all cases the disease appears first either on single plants 

 scattered here and there through the plantation, or on several 

 bushes over a small patch of ground, while the surrounding 

 bushes are healthy. If the disease on its first appearance is 

 dealt with summarily by the burning of all dead bushes and 

 branches, there is no need to spray or to take any other remedial 

 measure. 



2. Spraying. Where the disease is severe and widespread 

 .spraying must be resorted to in addition. A heavy spraying 

 with a solution of copper sulphate (4 Ib dissolved in 100 

 gallons of water) should be given just before the buds burst, 

 care being taken to spray thoroughly the main stems of the 

 bushes. The infection of the leaves may be prevented by 

 spraying, directly the fruit is set, with Bordeaux mixture 

 composed of 8 Ib. copper sulphate, 8 Ib. quicklime, and 100 

 gallons of water (for the preparation of this mixture, see 

 Leaflet No. 131). It is essential that the under-surface of 

 the leaves should be reached as much as possible. No injury 

 follows the appl : cation of Bordeaux mixture of this strength, 

 and if the spraying be done at the time indicated, no spotting 

 of the berries occurs. 



3. Cultivation*. It may finally be noted that any treat- 

 ment which induces the bushes to make vigorous growth 

 tends to stop the attacks of the fungus. This treatment 

 will chiefly consist in the keeping down of weeds, the cutting- 

 out of old and superfluous growth and attention to soil con- 

 ditions. The gooseberry responds to good treatment in the 

 shape of manuring but is very dependent on the presence of 

 lime in the soU, and strongly resents soil acidity. Lime, there- 

 fore, should be applied if necessary. If there is any evidence 

 tint potash is deficient, a dressing of 1 cwt. sulphate of potash 

 per acre should be given. It is well known that diseases make 

 more headway where there is an excessive supply of nitrogen 

 or lack of potash. 



POWDERY MILDEW OF THE VINE. 



(Uncinula necator, Burr.) 



The vine is subject to two very serious forms of Mildew, 

 the one a member of the group of Powdery Mildews caused 

 by the fungus Uncinula necator, and the other, one of the 



* See Leaflet No. 346 (Gooseberry Growing), obtainable from the 

 Ministry and also to be included in Sectional Volume No. 4. 



