1893.] ESSAYS. 53 



common to the grape vine in New England are Peronospora and Antli- 

 racna. In my limited experience with these, and the little that I have 

 been able to learn concerning them, I would gladly pass them by, but 

 I should not then be giving you my full experience, for in the past 

 four years I have lost more with fungus diseases than from all other 

 causes since I commenced to grow the vine. Three years ago I com- 

 menced to spray the vines, using that year ammoniacal carbonate of 

 copper, as directed by the department at "Washington, but 1 did not 

 understand what I was trying to do. I simply knew that I had the 

 peronospora on the Delaware vines, and that they recommended spray- 

 ing. I sprayed twice during the season, but the leaves nearly all 

 dropped in August. For the past two years I have been at work 

 under the directions of Professor Maynard, of the Agricultural Col- 

 lege, whose timely words of advice have been of great value in assist- 

 ing me to battle with these parasites ; and while yet we are not satis- 

 fied with results, yet we feel that we are working in the right direc- 

 tion, and trust that ere long science will give us a remedy for these 

 parasites that shall be as effective as Paris green has been for the 

 insect pest. But we must not stop with spraying. I think that the 

 leaves from the vines, and the fields joining the vineyard, should be 

 burnt over, and thus destroy the winter spore ; the posts, braces and 

 vines should be washed early in the spring with a strong solution of 

 sulphate of copper, or Bordeaux, full strength. And yet we feel that 

 we know but little of these fungus diseases, except that they are in- 

 creasing at an alarmingly rapid rate, and we must ever be on the alert, 

 with our face turned to the foe. 



