FUNGOUS DISEASES OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. 33 



sulphate of copper (blue stoue) and applied as a thai wash with a 

 spraying pump. The formula is five pounds each of the lime and 

 sulphate of copper, to fifty gallons of water. The milk of lime 

 may be made up and kept in stock to which the sulphate of copper, 

 also kept in solution, may be added as desired for spraying. 



The chief objection to the use of Bordeaux Mixture in the green- 

 house is the bluish lime coating it gives to the plants. On this 

 account Cupram is better. The formula for this latter is five ounces 

 of carbonate of copper dissolved in three quarts of strong (4 F) 

 ammonia, to be afterward added to fifty gallons of water. A 

 convenient way to keep this compound is in the concentrated solu- 

 tion in a well corked bottle. Thus a bottle holding the three quarts 

 of ammonia can receive the five ounces of copper and stand ready 

 for use, it being necessary only to pour out an ounce for each gal- 

 lon of water used for spraying. 



These two fungicides are the chief ones that can be recom- 

 mended for fungous troubles of the greenhouse. A solution of 

 Potassie Sulphide, a half ounce to a gallon of water, has proved 

 particularly beneficial with carnation diseases. This sulphide 

 readily dissolves in water and is easily prepared and kept for use. 



Good results have followed the use of the Bordeaux mixture for 

 violet troubles, and many other plants grown under glass would 

 doubtless be equally benefited by its use. 



The work against injurious fungi must be preventive instead of 

 curative, and the old saying that " an ounce of prevention is worth 

 a pound of cure " is nowhere more applicable. It is often true 

 that the enemy gets so far along with its destructive work that it is 

 the part of wisdom to destroy the plants instead of trying to save 

 them, much less propagate from them. Fungicides are most use- 

 ful at the time of attack of the fungus and, therefore, often need 

 to be used before the parasite shows itself. It is most likely that 

 greenhouse plants generally would profit by a spraying now and 

 then, and a more general use of fungicides is to be looked for by 

 growers of ornamental plants. 



The man who keeps his plants in the best way, observing the 

 proper conditions of seed bed, soil, air, and food supply, the one 

 who has all things neat and clean, will also be the one who sprays. 

 He will not delay until the plants are sick through and through, 

 but will use the fungicide as a shield for plants while healthy. 

 Such an one will have the greatest pleasure in his plants and be 

 most largely rewarded by them for his watchful care. 

 3 



