30 The Spraying of Plants. 



tion of the rot, a disease which was then very destructive. The 

 experiment is reported * by Prillieux, who says that the area 

 treated covered about three hectares. 2 The application was 

 made as soon as the rot appeared, and no further injury resulted 

 from the disease. Jouet was equally successful with the blight 

 of tomatoes, both diseases being attributed to Phytophthora in- 

 festans, DeBary. Another tomato grower, at Scully, is likewise 

 reported to have been successful. 



Origin of the Ammoniated Copper Fungicides, and 

 Various Combinations. 



A new fungicide, one destined to become very well known, 

 was tried in 1885 for the first time. It was proposed 3 by 

 Professor Audoynaud of the agricultural school at Montpellier. 

 He gave the following directions for its preparation : 



Copper sulphate 1 kilo. 



Ammonia 1 liter. 



Water, sufficient to spray 1 hectare. 



The copper salt was dissolved in the ammonia and then this 

 solution was added to the water. Such a solution had already 

 been known to pharmacists under the name of "eau celeste," 

 meaning " heavenly water," so called on account of its deep 

 blue color. It was used during the year by several experi- 

 menters. 



In 1886 a great many men conducted experiments to test the 

 value of the compounds of copper, very few other substances 

 being used. Among the many who did valuable work during 

 the year may be named Millardet and David, 4 Gaillot, and 

 Dr. G. Patrigeon. 5 These experimenters planned the work so 

 thoroughly that their results embodied the most important of 

 those obtained by other workers. 



In almost every instance the " bouillie bordelaise," or Bor- 

 deaux mixture, gave the most satisfactory results. Millardet 



1 Socttte Nat. d'Ag. de France, session of Aug. 18, 1886, 465. 

 8 A hectare is 2.47 acres. 



Progres Agricole et Viticole, 1886, March 28. Cited by Viala et Ferrouillat, 

 "Traitment des Maladies de la Vigne," 1888, 30. 



* Jour. d'Ag. Prat. 1886, Nov. 25, 764 ; Dec. 9, 831. 

 Ibid. Nov. 11, 696. 



