154 FRUIT CULTURE. 



through the foliage at full strength, without in- 

 jury, but it is better to reduce with an equal 

 amount of water, and use a larger quantity. 

 When the liquid is nearly exhausted the barrel 

 may be refilled with warm water, the lime being 

 thoroughly stirred, and thus a second, but weaker 

 run, may be obtained. This is the most speedy 

 and effectual remedy in aggravated cases. In a 

 close house, brimstone or sulphur may be melted 

 in a skillet, with a kerosene lamp, provided ex- 

 treme care is exercised to prevent flame, and the 

 giving off of sulphuric acid gas, which is so 

 fatal. Indeed, it will be best not to allow the 

 fumes to pervade the house very freely at the 

 first, but to make a gradual trial of its strength. 

 It is a powerful remedy to which low forms of 

 insect life, like the red spider, will also yield. 

 But it should be heated with great caution. Dry 

 rot is another form of fungus which attacks the 

 berries, causing premature discoloration, and 

 final shriveling. It is most prevalent in damp 

 and heavy soils, and it has been suggested that 

 the remedy should be sought in the soil, and in 

 giving elements of nourishment. Downing rec- 

 ommends sulphate of lime (plaster of Paris) as 

 a specific, and some cases of perceptible effect 

 are Reported. As the fungous growth is internal, 

 outward applications are apparently useless. 



