MILDEW* 323 



omitted it there have wholly failed in obtaining crops on ac- 

 count of the superabundance of mildew, which even extended 

 its influence to the vines of the Isabella and other native 

 grapes. As a proof of this great success, I may instance 

 the vines in the garden of Capt. Jacob Smith, of that place, 

 which principally consist of the White Muscadine, or Chasselas 

 variety. 



Aside, however, from the complete power thus obtained over 

 the mildew, the application of this liquid preparation is also 

 very beneficial in preventing the depredations of insects, as 

 remarked by an intelligent cultivator at page 316. 



The following remarks, on a subject similar, are from the 

 pen of the Hon. Richard Peters, formerly president of the 

 Philadelphia Society for promoting Agriculture. 



" On garden plants I have long and freely used flour of 

 sulphur (and on some vines particularly) to destroy and expel 

 grubs and flies. I have perceived them to thrive, but attri- 

 buted their vigour to being freed from annoyance. I have 

 also used sulphur water on fruit trees to banish or destroy 

 aphides* On most plants I use plaster, and therefore have 

 supposed the gypsum alone had benefitted them. A small 

 infusion of sulphuric acid, in a large proportion of water, 

 promotes vegetation and banishes insects from garden plants. 

 It would be well to make some experiments on a variety of 

 plants with the sulphur alone, on those of the trefoil tribe 

 especially. I do not see why sulphur in substance should not 

 produce effects similar to those of its derivative, sulphuric 

 acid. But plaster is with us cheaper, and in greater plenty." 



Assurances have been advanced from every quarter of the 

 powerful influence of sulphur against the whole tribes of 

 insects and worms which infest and prey on vegetable produc- 

 tions ; it has also been found to be conducive to the health of 

 the plants to which it has been applied, and it has been as- 

 serted, that peach trees in particular were remarkably improved 

 by it, and seemed to absorb it. The common mode of apply- 

 ing it to plants, is to tie up a portion of the flour of sul- 

 phur in a piece of muslin or fine linen, and then to dust it 



