54 Letters on the Diseases of Plants. 



for reasons set forth in the enclosed pamphlet, which has hardly even yet 

 been comprehended by experts themselves.* 



" To follow either of these, however, at once by the other will be a less 

 effective way than to use them alternately at intervals of a few days. If 

 you wish to use both on the same day, something must be sacrificed. That 

 sprayed on first will have the best chance of doing good, and hence you 

 must be guided by your particular circumstances; and if the trees are 

 suffering most from insects use the resin compound first, while if they are 

 suffering most from fungi use the Bordeaux first." 



This answer is not meant to deny the possibility, or even the probability, 

 that a first-class combined insecticide and fungicide may yet be discovered; 

 it is merely an opinion based on experience with the two mixtures mentioned. 

 It is well known, for instance, that Paris Grreen, applied to apple-trees, acts 

 both as a fungicide on apple scab and as an insecticide on the codlin moth, 

 and even when mixed with Bordeaux mixture, still retains its poisonous pro- 

 perties in an efiicient degree. 



XII. Miscellaneous. 

 1. Drying Fruit for Home Consumption. 



Most of the Colonial literature treats the drying of fruit in such a manner 

 as to imply that the application of the fumes of burning sulphur and other 

 chemical treatments are essential and necessary parts of the operation. 

 The following note to an inquirer throws light on a neglected phase of the 

 question : — " I would like to add a few words about drying fruit for home 

 consumption, as I understood you to say that was your object. You will 

 notice in the book I lent you that a good deal is said about sulphuring 

 and dipping in caustic solutions. Both these operations give a sample that 

 markets better because it looks better, not because it actually is better. In 

 fact both these operations introduce unwholesome elements into the dried 

 fruit, and though it is to be admitted that the quantity is small, still it is 

 there. Therefore, in drying for home consumption, I believe it wiser, and it 

 is certainly cheaper, to omit these operations. A dark colour is not in itself 

 unwholesome, and it cannot be disputed that the flavour of fruit properly 

 dried without either of the above processes is suj^erior to that obtained by 

 their use. This advantage (for home consumption) more than counter- 

 balances any darkness of colour. Drying for the market is different — more's 

 the pity. There you must suit customers or fail in the business." 



* Dialogue concerning the manner in which a poisonous spray does its work in prevent- 

 ing or checking blight. 8 pages, with 8 original illustrations in the text. Agricultural 

 Gazette, Sydney, 1891. 



[One plate.] 



Sydney : William Applegate Gullick, Government Printer.— 1S97. 



