AHD WTETE HAEDTa. 221 



CHAPTER XUL 



DISEASES AND THEIR REMEDIES. 



The common mildew {Oidium Tucheri) prevails to 

 some extent, but can be controlled by the use of pow- 

 dered sulphur dusted over and through the vine by 

 means of bellows or small wire sieves shaken by hand. 

 It commonly appears after foggy weather, and the first 

 application should be made when the young shoots are 

 about eight inches long, or just before the bloom. A 

 second application may become necessary should the dis- 

 ease again appear. This will stop it effectually. 



CouLURE, or imperfect setting of the fruit. — This 

 often prevails to a considerable extent, but is, I think, 

 the consequence of mildew and can be prevented, to a 

 great extent, by early and careful sulphuring. It gen- 

 erally follows late rains and damp, foggy weather accom- 

 panied by sultry heat. Possibly the copper mixtures 

 may be of service against this, as also the ripe rot, which 

 has attacked our grapes to some extent when rains have 

 set in early in September. The varieties which have 

 very compact bunches and tender skins are most liable 

 to attack. After a rainless summer the autumnal rains 

 swell the berries, and where they grow compactly, crack 

 them, when myriads of fungus spores find lodgment, 

 and speedy decomposition ensues. 



The Peronospora, from which the vineyards of 

 Europe have suffered seriously, and the black rot of tho 

 Eastern States are, so far as I am aware, unknown here. 

 The most formidable malady of grapes is the so-called 

 Anaheim disease, but it has not, so far, reached our 

 Northern vineyards. It originated, or rather was first 

 observed, at Anaheim, Orange county, hence the name. 

 This disease is tho more to bo dreaded, as all researches 



