96 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



though it is difficult to say why the treatment is more effec- 

 tive under these conditions. 



In greenhouse work sulphur vapor has long been an 

 accepted fungicide. Mixed to a paint with oil, and applied 

 to the heating pipes, it exercises a mild but constant pre- 

 ventive action upon fungous growth. If the latter is sudden 

 and persistent, sulphur, or a mixture of linseed oil and 

 sulphur, allowed to boil, without taking fire, in shallow iron 

 dishes for five or ten minutes, will speedily rid the plants 

 of all forms of "mildew." In the case of the " rusts," par- 

 ticularly of carnations, and of the various leaf diseases to 

 which violets are so frequently subject, the bleaching action 

 of sulphur renders its use inadvisable, nor in such cases does 

 it seem to have much effect. The destruction of the parts 

 affected, thorough drainage, and the use of some liquid fungi- 

 cide, will give decidedly better results. 



Now a word as to the means of applying fungicides. For 

 the application of fine, dry powders, nothing is better than 

 the "powder gun," or some similar device for blowing the 

 powder upon the plants. Sulphur, however, easily clogs 

 such an apparatus, and is best applied by hand. In the case 

 of liquids, it is almost needless to say that the old-fashioned 

 methods of the watering-pot, rose nozzle, or whisk broom 

 are inadequate. In order to insure the highest degree of 

 efficiency, together with the least expenditure of labor, time 

 and money, some form of apparatus must be used which will 

 deliver a fine, mist-like spray, capable of just moistening, 

 without drenching, every part of the plant to be treated, and 

 which will develop sufficient force to carry the spray to a 

 distance of at least ten feet from the nozzle. These two 

 objects are attained by the use of some special form of nozzle 

 which will break up the stream, and by the use of a force 

 pump mounted in various ways according to the special work 

 which it is required to do. 



Among the many patterns of spraying nozzles now on the 

 market, perhaps the most generally useful is the Vermorel, 

 which delivers a copious, mist-like spray of a conical form, 

 with a wide spread and good carrying power. Attached to- 

 a long hose carried on a pole, or better still, attached to the 

 end of a long, hollow bamboo rod connected with the hose, 



