The Canadian Horticulturist. 53 



quart ; mix. The copper carbonate will dissolve almost at once in the 

 ammonia liquor. Then dilute this mixture with cold water to make twenty- 

 two gallons of liquid. 



From sundry experiments which I have made this year, and which I 

 have reported in detail to the United States Department of Agriculture, I 

 conclude that it is the copper in solution which is specifically antidotal to 

 fungus germs, and not the other component, sulphuric acid, of the sulphate. 

 In experimenting on treatment of the Black Rot of the Grape, I tried quite 

 extensively a mixture made similarly to the Bordeaux Mixture, only sub- 

 stituting sulphate of iron (copperas) for the copper-sulphate. This mixture 

 had no effect whatever in prevention of Grape Rot. I saw some benefit 

 from its use, however, in prevention of leaf mildew, and it is quite likely 

 that it may be found sufficiently effective for treatment of the blights of the 

 Potato and Tomato. It is much cheaper, pulverized sulphate of copper 

 costing about eight cents per pound, while copperas costs only seven- 

 eighths of one cent per pound. 



Further experiments are required to teach which of these fungicides 

 may be the preferable one, and for what uses. Certain fungi will endure 

 with impunity applications under which others will perish, and certain 

 varieties of plants are damaged by chemical solutions which do not harm 

 others. Thus, the Tomato plant will not tolerate a spraying with Bordeaux 

 Mixture as it is used for the Potato. The mixture for the Tomato must 

 be reduced in strength, at least, one-half. Nor will Vitis cestivalis endure 

 spraying with copper-sulphate mixtures, which do not injure the vegetation 

 of Vitis Labrusca. 



My counsel to those who purpose engaging in these vegetable thera- 

 peutics is to go slow. When all ready for spraying try only a few patients 

 at first, and wait to note the effects of the medicine. Otherwise there is 

 great danger of learning pathological wisdom as did the quack doctor who 

 found out in his practice that " what cured the shoemaker, killed the 

 tailor." — A. W. Pearson, in Forest and Garden. 



WINTER PROTECTION FOR GRAPES. 



TH E practice of laying down Grape-vines and covering them for winter, is not 

 universal ; yet, with most varieties, in nearly all of New England this 

 treatment pays. Growers find that even when the buds of uncovered 

 vines all start well, the covered vines give a better crop, and ripen it earlier. If 

 vines are planted against the south side of a tight fence, laying them on the 

 ground will be all the protection needed in a snowy country, as a deep drift will 

 form in such a spot. Such a drift will not waste away for a loug time where there 

 is snow enough for pretty steady sleighing. — Dr. Hoskins, /« Garden and Forest. 



