46 Notes and Gleanings. 



Destrovixg the Gooseberry-Caterpillar. — Much has been written, 

 and many directions have been given, as to the destruction of the gooseberry- 

 caterpillar, through the columns of this Journal ; but I have never seen recom- 

 mended the means that I have adopted with unfailing success for several 

 years. This consists in dusting every bush with powdered white hellebore as 

 soon as a caterpillar makes its appearance. I obtain it of a chemist at the trifling 

 cost of IS. %d. per pound, which is sufficient for fifty bushes. It is very rare 

 that there is any need to repeat the dose, as the caterpillars are found dead on 

 or beneath the bushes the next day. The bushes should be dusted in dry 

 weather, as the rain is apt to wash much of the hellebore off the leaves. I apply 

 it by the means of a common sulphurator. Should any one try it, it will be 

 found effectual. — y. S. S., in English Journal of Horticnlture. 



[The use of fresh white hellebore-powder has been frequently recommended 

 in our Images for destroying the gooseberry-caterpillar. It should be washed off 

 the berries before they are eaten, as it is poisonous. — Eds.'\ 



The OiDiUM, or Vine-Mildew. — Having found the following to be a com- 

 plete cure for the above disease in vines, I think it right to give it publicity, 

 particularly as the season is now advancing for its use. One pound of flour of 

 sulphur, one pound of slacked lime, one gallon of rain-water ; to be mixed well 

 together, and, when boiled twenty minutes, to be taken off and strained ; then 

 to be added to the liquid one gallon more water, and boiled twenty minutes 

 longer ; next let the liquid cool (it will be of a fine amber color), and put it into 

 a large jar, and cork. 



When used, take a pint of the above, and mix it with sixteen gallons of 

 raip-water, with which syringe your vines, and it will not injure the fruit or 

 leaves. If the vines are under glass, syringe with cold water four days after 

 its use. 



I grow here, for champagne and otherwise, a large number of vines on and 

 against walls ; and for the last four years have found that a single syringing with 

 the above over my vines on walls soon after blossoming, and when the fruit is 

 about the size of very small shot, acts as a complete preventive to the disease 

 showing itself in any shape whatever ; although it is in its very worst form 

 amongst my neighbors' vines within a few hundred yards of me. 



So effectual has the application proved with me, that, last year, I sent my gar- 

 dener to syringe several of rhy neighbors' out-of-door vines, and in every case 

 with the most decided success, even where the disease had made considerable 

 progress. The mixture is on no account to be used during the blossoming of 

 the vines. 



I do not see why it should not act as a preventive against other blights ; and 

 I intend this year to try it on other fruit-trees, not waiting until the blight actu- 

 ally makes its appearance. I also intend to mark out about a land yard of my 

 late potato-ground, which my gardener shall syringe with the above twice a week, 

 commencing about the first day of July next ; and, should there be any bene- 

 ficial result, I shall gladly infornS you in due course. — IV. A. D., in English 

 Journal of Horticulture. 



