FUNGICIDES. 357 



applied as a wash to the steam or hot water pipes. 

 When made into a thick wash with an equal quantity of 

 lime, it can he applied with a brush and its effects will 

 be noticed for a week or more, according to the amount 

 used and the temperature of the pipes. 



Another method of obtaining evaporated sulphur is 

 by the use of a small oil stove, over which the sulphur 

 can be placed upon an iron dish. If sulphur is evapo- 

 rated in this way about twice a week, until its presence 

 can be detected by the eye, it will destroy many of the 

 insects as well as fungi. Great care should be taken 

 that the sulphur does not in any way become overturned 

 or take fire, as that would destroy the plants. The lat- 

 ter danger will be lessened if an iron dish containing a 

 half-inch of sand is placed beneath the dish containing 

 the sulphur. 



Liver of Sulphur, or sulphide of potassium, dis- 

 solved in water at the rate of two ounces to ten gallons 

 of water, is also a valuable fungicide. Although its 

 effects are less lasting than those of the copper com- 

 pounds, it can be relied upon for the destruction of pow- 

 dery mildew and other superficial fungi, and has the two 

 strong points of being readily prepared, and of not dis- 

 coloring the foliage. 



COPPER COMPOUNDS. 



During the past six or eight years, the use of 

 various salts of copper as fungicides has rapidly 

 increased. The simplest, cheapest, and most efficient 

 form is a preparation of copper sulphate (blue vitriol) 

 and lime, known as Bordeaux mixture. For some pur- 

 poses, this fungicide is not desirable, as it leaves a coat- 

 ing of lime upon the plants, but when this is not objec- 

 tionable, the effect of the application will be rendered 

 more lasting by the adhesive qualities of the lime. 



This mixture is made in various strengths, accord- 

 ing to the severity of the disease and the nature of the 



